It's been an interesting couple of years for American Muslims. Mosque construction has been threatened – both in courts and by vandals; growing unfounded fears of Islam's Sharia Law have become an avenue for continued discrimination, misunderstanding, and legal harassment; and at least one presidential candidate has been exploiting anti-Muslim sentiment in a divisive political strategy (thankfully, Herman Cain did apologize).
And yet, according to a new Gallup report, the American religious group that is most optimistic about the future?
Muslim Americans see hope for their economic future at a higher rate than other religious groups, and are increasingly engaged civically, despite being the least likely faith group to be registered to vote. Where they face challenges is in the social realm: they are less likely to feel respected when practicing their religion, and nearly half say they've been the target of discrimination.
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Muslim Americans are also more optimistic about achieving their "best possible life" than any other religious group. When asked what rung out of a ladder of ten they feel their life is at (ten being the perfect life), American Muslims say they are at an average of seven, and in five years they say they'll be at an 8.4. Other groups, while also enthusiastic about their future, don't see as big an uptick in their stead. Muslim Americans were also more positive on the national economic conditions, with large portion (24%) saying conditions are "excellent/good" and 54% who said they were improving. By contrast, only 12% of Protestant Americans described conditions as "excellent/good" and 32% described them as getting better.
One reason for this optimism – though I'm sure there are many – could be the recognition that as a nation of laws we are commited to protecting the rights of all Americans. Efforts to end mosque construction and to implement anti-Sharia legislation have been defeated in courts. Other modes of discrimination have been fought by the Justice Department. Constitutional principles of religious freedom empower and protect the liberty of all Americans!
You can read the report, entitled Muslim Americans: Faith, Freedom, Future (pdf) here.
