Institute for Social Policy and Understanding - ISPU

"As El-Sayed advances to the general election, the attacks against him have already intensified in scope and hatefulness. His family name, personal history, words, and actions are already being scrutinized through a distinctively anti-Muslim lens—one that has followed Muslim candidates even as they try to campaign on policy."

More on Abdul El-Sayed's primary victory, the resulting Islamophobic backlash, and how Muslim voters may respond in a new post on Substack from ISPU's Tuqa Nusairat. Read on: https://hubs.li/Q04sjwX90

"Disagreement with El-Sayed’s positions on healthcare, immigration, US support for Israel, or any other policy is not inherently Islamophobic. The line is crossed when his faith, name, or family background is used as evidence of terrorism, foreignness, disloyalty, or collective blame. Muslim candidates are too often asked to prove that they are not extremists before they are permitted to discuss the economy, healthcare, education or the other issues that motivated them to run."

New from ISPU Executive Director Tuqa Nusairat on ISPU's (brand new!) Substack: Abdul El-Sayed’s nomination sits at the intersection of Muslim civic engagement and rising Islamophobia. What does the data say?

https://bit.ly/3RVcCwg

Interfaith engagement can foster meaningful relationships across faith communities but it also comes with challenges.

Barriers can include:
- being tokenized and expected to represent or speak for all Muslims
- navigating major misconceptions about Muslims and Islam in general
- feeling ostracized or unwelcomed if not perceived to be the “right kind” of Muslim

ISPU's latest report, Bridges and Barriers, co-authored with Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign, examines these experiences to better understand the obstacles that shape interfaith engagement. By identifying these barriers, the report offers insights to help faith communities build stronger partnerships rooted in mutual understanding and allyship.

Read the full report:

Bridges and Barriers: Interfaith engagement among American faith communities amid rising Islamophobia - Institute for Social Policy and Understanding ISPU provides objective research and education about American Muslims to support well-informed dialogue and decision-making.

Are you planning the legacy you want to leave behind?

This National Make-A-Will Month, consider joining ISPU’s Legacy Circle — a special group of supporters who include ISPU in their will to ensure our work continues for decades to come. Creating or updating your will protects your loved ones, reflects your values, and can leave a lasting gift to the causes you care about. Your legacy can change the future.

Thank you for being part of the ISPU community and for investing in lasting change. Learn more about our planned giving options: https://bit.ly/3TXbIQA

Amaarah DeCuir uses ISPU research to showcase how American conflicts in the Middle East increase anti-Muslim hostility and discrimination here at home, with students especially at risk.

Educators are the first line of defense for students facing discrimination. But ISPU research shows that in 1 in 3 bullying cases in K-12 schools, Muslim families report that a teacher or administrator was the bully. Read on in The Conversation US for more from Dr. DeCuir on how to support Muslim students in the midst of the US-Iran war.

More: https://hubs.li/Q04qD_TY0

As America's Muslim population continues to age, supporting caregivers should be a community priority. Read our new report to learn how research can help build better solutions for both caregivers and older adults: https://hubs.li/Q04qwy880

📊 What does caregiving for older adults look like in American Muslim communities?

Our latest research found:
• 25% of American Muslims care for an older adult.
• 36% also have children in K–12, making Muslims the religious group most likely to be part of the "sandwich generation."
• 56% of Muslim caregivers provide care within their own home.
• 52% identify emotional strain as one of their biggest caregiving challenges.
• 18% struggle to find culturally appropriate caregivers, more than double the rate reported by the general public (7%).

Behind every statistic is a family balancing work, caregiving, finances, and the desire to ensure loved ones receive compassionate, culturally responsive care.

Our new report examines these experiences and offers recommendations to strengthen support for caregivers and older adults alike. Read: https://hubs.li/Q04qwtWq0

Tomorrow, join us for an important discussion on the state of mental health among American Muslims and what communities, providers, and leaders can do to improve access to care and reduce stigma.

🗓️ July 29, 12:30 PM ET

Together, we'll explore new findings from our report Distress and Disconnection, discuss the challenges facing culturally competent care in Muslim communities, and highlight practical solutions that can make a difference.

There's still time to register; we look forward to seeing you there!

Register: https://hubs.li/Q04pM-bG0

RNS reports, "After a man allegedly stabbed a Muslim worker in a Utah mall at least 15 times, religious groups are warning of the effects of escalating anti-Muslim rhetoric." The attacker said he intended to kill the victim because he is Muslim.

ISPU data shows anti-Muslim discrimination remains steady and high, with 63% of Muslims reporting to us in 2025 that they experienced religious discrimination. This number has held steady for a decade.

Read on in RNS for more on the interfaith response to the stabbing, and explore https://hubs.li/Q04qFbLx0 for our latest research on interfaith relationships.