The research will highlight three main areas:
Evolution of Muslim Presence in the U.S.
This is an all-inclusive (no sampling) study of U.S. institutions from the 1900 to date. The objective is to account for Muslim institutions that ever existed. This research is comprehensive horizontally but not vertically. i.e. the research will account for all institutions but not dive deeply into any of them.
I stated the phases of Muslim presence in this country and the research results will either confirm it or directs me to modify it.
The mosque questionnaire will be filled out for each institution still in operation. Identified institutions that are no longer in service will be listed with starting and closing dates. Information will include:
- Detailed information about the facility
- The structure of the organization responsible about the facility and how it operates
- The composition of the congregants
The school questionnaire will be filled out for each institution still in operation. Identified institutions that are no longer in service will be listed with starting and closing dates. Information will include:
- Detailed information about the facility
- Basic information about the students
- Basic information about the teachers, staff, & services
The organization’s questionnaire will be filled out by national organizations as well as local ones with major regional impact. Information will include:
- Name, address, contact information
- Classification, line of work (Relief, civil liberties, legal, etc.)
- Year of establishment, year of closure and reason if no longer in service
- A brief description of the organization and its main focus
Muslim Contributions
This will highlight major Muslim contributions to this society by featuring selected ones in multiple areas. I will be interviewing contributors if alive to obtain a variety of perspectives.
Demographic Study of few Major Muslim Communities
Surveying the Muslim community in the entire country is beyond the scope of this research. However, it is extremely important to supplement the above two sections with an in-depth study of few major metropolitan areas to truly show what the Muslim community is composed of. The survey will highlight the following aspects:
- The ethnic composition of the Muslim community
- The community presence in the public square (doctors, engineers, lawyers, educators, accountants, business owners, and more)
- The financial and political strength of the Muslim community
- Gender, age, family size, and marital status
Once the survey is completed, it will show the Muslim community as:
- Inseparable and part of the fabric of this society: Take a cross section of any segment of the society and most likely you find Muslims there.
- Highly skilled: Scientists, doctors, engineers, academicians, lawyers, managers, and business owners are a few categories overflowing with Muslims.
- Positive contributors: Scientifically, financially, and morally.
- Loyal: They serve in the armed forces and sacrifice themselves for their country.