The Reimagining Muslim Spaces (RMS) study aims to stimulate and support mosques and community centers to meet the diverse social, civic, and economic needs of their congregants with special attention to often marginalized groups, including women, youth, and converts. Utilizing case study analysis produced by the RMS study, mosques and community centers can reduce barriers to participation, improve services they offer and increase constituent engagement. With implementable recommendations, the RMS study will contribute to improved community building, reduced marginalization, and increased community cohesiveness.
ISPU began this study by assembling a multidisciplinary group of stakeholders—from mosque leaders to disillusioned young people, women, converts, and members of ethnic and racial minority groups—to advise on the project and test recommendations. ISPU then analyzed existing national data and conducted primary qualitative research in three hubs: Metro-Detroit, the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, and the Bay Area, California.
ISPU also identified exemplary models of mosques and community centers that have high participation rates for young people, with a special focus on women and converts, and exceptional programs that meet the needs of their constituents. Using this data-driven research approach and actionable recommendations, the RMS study aims to move the concept of being “unmosqued” from a buzzword to a solvable social challenge.
ISPU developed a community education toolkit, including case studies and community briefs, that mosques and community centers can use to practically implement the RMS study’s recommendations. Case studies focus on engagement and inclusivity, social service programming, civic engagement models, and governance issues. This is a roadmap to help communities transform their current spaces into ones that are inclusive to all community members and responsive to their collective needs. To bring the research directly to communities, ISPU created an Inclusivity Workshop Toolkit, including videos, participant surveys, and exercises centers can use to address issues and create an action plan for incorporating study recommendations.
RMS at a Glance
What if you were asked to recall the best moment you had at a mosque? The time that was most fulfilling, when you felt most excited and inspired about being there. We asked American Muslim women this question, and here is what we found.
Allison, Daniel, and Kayla are converts to Islam. Follow their journeys to see how their mosques created welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic environments for them to grow in their faith.
In the wake of tragedy, it is hard for Muslim and allied leaders, communities, and institutions to manage the fallout and increased scrutiny. ISPU’s case study examines how the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC) effectively responded to the Boston marathon bombing.
Talk Toolkits
ISPU worked with the Yaqeen Institute to integrate ISPU research into a series of khutbahs developed by Yaqeen, allowing communities around the country to receive evidence-based and inspiring Friday sermons. These toolkits are specifically developed as a tool to empower and equip imams, youth directors, MSA leaders, and Islamic schools to address topics relevant to the concerns of American Muslims today.
Want to use ISPU | Yaqeen Talk Toolkits to start conversations about women’s inclusivity, civic engagement, community racism, Islamophobia, social services, devotion to faith, or reclaiming the narrative about Islam? Read more and view the materials.
Organize Your Own Inclusivity Workshop
After conducting extensive research, analyzing the data, and creating a set of practical recommendations, ISPU has been traveling across the country sharing our findings directly with mosque leaders, volunteers, and attendees via a two-hour interactive workshop. In order to increase our reach, we’ve turned our traveling workshop into a virtual one, enabling interested people to use our material to hold a workshop in their mosque.
“The ISPU study is one of the first chances we start to scientifically look at the phenomenon of what’s probably been going on for a long time.”
—Halim Naeem, Psychologist
“I want to see our mosques be that welcome mat to convene and to nourish and to empower communities. This study is going to show us all the different elements of that for women, youth and converts.”
—Syed Mohiuddin, Former Board Member, United Way of Southeastern Michigan
RMS Reports
Creating a Welcoming, Inclusive, Dynamic Mosque | Reimagining Muslim Spaces Community Brief
October 21, 2016,In an effort to enable Muslim communities across the country to build inviting, resilient and relevant institutions, we conducted multiple focus groups with a diverse group of congregants and mosque leaders. Rather than try to “isolate all the problems” with existing institutions, we asked leaders...
Creating a Welcoming, Inclusive, Dynamic Mosque | Reimagining Muslim Spaces Community Brief [Executive Summary]
October 22, 2016,This is the Executive Summary for ISPU’s Reimagining Muslim Spaces (RMS) report on creating a welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic mosque. In an effort to enable Muslim communities across the country to build inviting, resilient and relevant institutions, we conducted multiple focus groups with a diverse group...
RMS Case Studies
American Muslims and Free Health Services to Underserved Populations | HUDA Clinic: A Case Study
August 18, 2016,This first report in ISPU’s “Reimagining Muslim Spaces” series presents a case study of the HUDA Clinic, a free health care clinic in Detroit, Michigan, that has been in operation since 2004, and continues to grow and evolve with the needs of its community. Specifically,...
Understanding Effective Civic Engagement | The Muslim Community Association of the San Francisco Bay Area: A Case Study
August 19, 2016,This second report in ISPU’s “Reimagining Muslim Spaces” series presents a case study of the Muslim Community Association (MCA) located in Santa Clara, California, one of the largest mosques in the United States. Established in 1981, MCA has consistently led efforts to promote civic engagement in the...
Understanding Effective Social Service | SHARE Center Lexington: A Case Study
September 15, 2016,This third report in ISPU’s “Reimagining Muslim Spaces” series presents a case study of the SHARE Center in Lexington, Kentucky. The SHARE Center is a Muslim-run community social service center. It has been effectively providing economic assistance in a low-income neighborhood since 2011. The SHARE Center offers...
Understanding Inclusivity Practices at “Third Spaces” | MakeSpace: A Case Study
September 17, 2016,This fourth report in ISPU’s “Reimagining Muslim Spaces” series presents a case study of MakeSpace, an example of the recent Third Space phenomenon. Using MakeSpace as a case study, we examine how a Third Space is different from a traditional American mosque and what attracts participants...
A Community-Led Imam Search Process | ISBCC: A Case Study
June 14, 2017,This fifth report in ISPU’s “Reimagining Muslim Spaces” series presents a case study of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC), the largest mosque in New England. Specifically, we examine how ISBCC meaningfully engaged its community in a thorough and multi-tiered imam hiring process...
How a Mosque Managed a Crisis: The ISBCC Response to the Boston Marathon Bombing
July 19, 2017,This sixth report in ISPU’s “Reimagining Muslim Spaces” series presents a case study of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC), the largest mosque in New England. Specifically, we examine its effective navigation of the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. By analyzing...
Infographics
Other Relevant Reports
Weekend Islamic Schools: Are They Preparing Children for Life Ahead?
August 23, 2018,On July 25, 2017, the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) hosted a one-day convening in partnership with the John Templeton Foundation (JTF) to identify the needs, opportunities, and challenges for weekend Islamic schools as they relate to character development in students between the...
Meeting the Needs of Muslim Youth: Supporting New Muslim Youth
January 13, 2016,How can we provide better support to convert youth? According to Ta’leef Collective, over 20,000 Americans convert to Islam annually. But, many new converts leave Islam in the first two years after conversion. In this series of small group discussions, participants discussed the challenges faced...
Meeting the Needs of Muslim Youth: Getting Race Right
January 13, 2016,How can predominately South Asian and Arab American mosques promote a greater understanding of race and civil rights, and create inclusive environments for African American Muslim youth? The United States’ several million Muslims are the most racially, culturally, and ethnically diverse group in the country....
Building Mosques in America: Strategies for Securing Municipal Approvals
October 1, 2010,This report is intended as a best practices guide for faith communities, as well as for the professionals and advocates supporting them, as they attempt to develop or expand houses of worship in the face of organized grassroots opposition. Recommendations are drawn from case studies...
Not In Our Neighborhood: Managing Opposition to Mosque Construction
October 1, 2010,This report is intended as a best practices guide for U.S. municipal authorities—elected officials, municipal attorneys, planners and appointed review board members—as they steward and adjudicate development applications for mosques and related accessory uses and attempt to manage and reduce conflict around those proposals. Recommendations...
Implications of the Detroit Mosque Study for Other American Muslim Communities
April 25, 2005,During the summer of 2004, the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) released the results of an extensive study on Detroit metropolitan area mosques. Dr. Ihsan Bagby of the University of Kentucky conducted the study, surveying more than 1,300 participants from twelve different local...
Executive Summary | A Portrait of Detroit Mosques: Muslim Views on Policy and Religion
January 25, 2004,Mosques are the cornerstone of the Islamic experience in America. One sign of the growing presence of Muslims in the United States has been the rapid growth of Muslim civil society, characterized by a dramatic increase in the number of mosques, social and political organizations,...
Additional Resources
ISNA Statement on the Inclusion of Women in Masjids
9 Hadiths on Men-Women Interaction in Mosque (aboutislam.net)
Can Women Give Lectures in the Mosque? (aboutislam.net)
[Re]Construction of Women’s Spaces in the American Mosques
Developing an Agenda for Strengthening Masjids
The Impact of Liberalism, Secularism and Atheism on the American Mosque
National Needs Assessment of Mosques Associated with ISNA & NAIT
The American Mosque 2011: Basic Characteristics of the American Mosque, Attitudes of Mosque Leaders
The American Mosque 2011: Activities, Administration and Vitality of the American Mosque
The American Mosque 2011: Women and the American Mosque
Women Friendly Mosques and Community Centers: Working Together to Reclaim Our Heritage
Meet the Research Team
Dr. Ihsan Bagby
Principal Investigator and Fellow, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Associate Professor, University of Kentucky
Faiqa Mahmood
Lead Researcher and Fellow, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Dalia Mogahed
Director of Research, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Afif Rahman
Research Assistant, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Nashwah Akhtar
Research Assistant, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Sarrah Buageila
Project Manager, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Meet the Research Team
Dr. Ihsan Bagby
Principal Investigator and Fellow, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Associate Professor, University of Kentucky
Faiqa Mahmood
Lead Researcher and Fellow, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Afif Rahman
Research Assistant, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Nashwah Akhtar
Research Assistant, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Dalia Mogahed
Director of Research, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Sarrah Buageila
Project Manager, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Meet the Advisory Council
Marwa Ali
Filmmaker, Unmosqued documentary
Previous Muslim Chaplain, Trinity College and Wesleyan University
Shahed Amanullah
Co-founder and Director,
Affinis Labs
CEO and Co-founder,
LaunchPosse
CEO and Founder, Halalfire
Hazem Bata
Former Secretary General, Islamic Society of North America
Patrick Cates
Managing Director, DREAM of Detroit
Program Advisor, Beacon Foundation
Ahmed Eid
Filmmaker, Unmosqued documentary
Maryam Eskandar
Founder, MIIM Designs
Undergraduate Advisor, Harvard University Department of Architecture
Tannaz Haddadi
Founder and President of the Board, Next Wave Muslim Initiative
Butheina Hamdah
Former Development Associate, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Dr. Altaf Husain
Vice President, Islamic Society of North America
Assistant Professor, Howard University School of Social Work
Iffa Kazi
Operations and Special Projects Manager, El-Hibri Foundation
Saleem Khalid
Executive Director, Muslim Enrichment Project
Farhan Latif
President, El-Hibri Foundation
Atif Mahmud
Filmmaker, Unmosqued documentary
Hind Makki
Curator and Founder, Side Entrance blog
Meira Neggaz
Executive Director, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Sarah Sayeed
Former Board Member, Women in Islam, Inc.
Author, “Women Friendly Mosques and Community Centers”
Meet the Advisory Council
Marwa Ali
Filmmaker, Unmosqued documentary
Previous Muslim Chaplain, Trinity College and Wesleyan University
Shahed Amanullah
Co-founder and Director,
Affinis Labs
CEO and Co-founder,
LaunchPosse
CEO and Founder, Halalfire
Hazem Bata
Former Secretary General, Islamic Society of North America
Patrick Cates
Managing Director, DREAM of Detroit
Program Advisor, Beacon Foundation
Patrick Cates
Managing Director, DREAM of Detroit
Program Advisor, Beacon Foundation
Ahmed Eid
Filmmaker, Unmosqued documentary
Maryam Eskandar
Founder, MIIM Designs
Undergraduate Advisor, Harvard University Department of Architecture
Tannaz Haddadi
Founder and President of the Board, Next Wave Muslim Initiative
Butheina Hamdah
Former Development Associate, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Dr. Altaf Husain
Vice President, Islamic Society of North America
Assistant Professor, Howard University School of Social Work
Iffa Kazi
Operations and Special Projects Manager, El-Hibri Foundation
Saleem Khalid
Executive Director, Muslim Enrichment Project
Farhan Latif
President, El-Hibri Foundation
Atif Mahmud
Filmmaker, Unmosqued documentary
Hind Makki
Curator and Founder, Side Entrance blog
Meira Neggaz
Executive Director, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Sarah Sayeed
Former Board Member, Women in Islam, Inc.
Author, “Women Friendly Mosques and Community Centers”