In schools across the United States today, educators do more than just teach academic subjects. One of the most important things a teacher can do is to understand the diversity of backgrounds and experiences of their students and teach them how to work together. Are you an educator who wants to create an inclusive and enriching classroom experience? If so, this toolkit is for you. These evidence-based resources built by expert scholars will help you foster a safe learning environment for all of your students, especially those who happen to be Muslim.
Addressing Bullying of Muslim Children
Given the prevalence rates and negative mental health outcomes associated with religious-based bullying, it must be considered a public health issue in need of prevention and intervention attention. This brief provides insights from the first-ever National Interfaith Anti-Bullying Summit held in Washington, DC, on December 2–3, 2017. The summit gathered a multitude of experts on the issue, including advocates, researchers, teachers, parents, physicians, mental health practitioners, and, most importantly, targets of bullying to share their stories of the abuse and how it impacted their mental well-being.
This December 5, 2018 panel discussion covers the findings of ISPU and AMHP’s Religious-Based Bullying report, the connection between mental health and bullying, and parent/child accounts of religious-based bullying.
For more on these topics, see also this webinar, sponsored by ISPU, Islamic Networks Group (ING), American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP), and Sikh Kid 2 Kid.
Global Battleground or School Playground: The Bullying of America’s Muslim Children
While bullying is on the rise in American schools,
23 September, 2011
Adult Bullying of Muslim Kids: A National Challenge
Did you know that October is national bullying pre
19 December, 2015
Educators Toolkit
Resources for Teachers, Instructors, + Administrators
In schools across the United States today, educators do more than just teach academic subjects. One of the most important things a teacher can do is to understand the diversity of backgrounds and experiences of their students and teach them how to work together. Are you an educator who wants to create an inclusive and enriching classroom experience? If so, this toolkit is for you. These evidence-based resources built by expert scholars will help you foster a safe learning environment for all of your students, especially those who happen to be Muslim.
Addressing Bullying of Muslim Children
Given the prevalence rates and negative mental health outcomes associated with religious-based bullying, it must be considered a public health issue in need of prevention and intervention attention. This brief provides insights from the first-ever National Interfaith Anti-Bullying Summit held in Washington, DC, on December 2–3, 2017. The summit gathered a multitude of experts on the issue, including advocates, researchers, teachers, parents, physicians, mental health practitioners, and, most importantly, targets of bullying to share their stories of the abuse and how it impacted their mental well-being.
This December 5, 2018 panel discussion covers the findings of ISPU and AMHP’s Religious-Based Bullying report, the connection between mental health and bullying, and parent/child accounts of religious-based bullying.
For more on these topics, see also this webinar, sponsored by ISPU, Islamic Networks Group (ING), American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP), and Sikh Kid 2 Kid.
Global Battleground or School Playground: The Bullying of America’s Muslim Children
While bullying is on the rise in American schools,
23 September, 2011Adult Bullying of Muslim Kids: A National Challenge
Did you know that October is national bullying pre
19 December, 2015
Helpful Handouts
This infographic highlights findings from our 2020 American Muslim Poll, showing how religious discrimination affects Muslims of all ages and in multiple forms.
This infographic highlights findings from our 2020 American Muslim Poll, showing the steady increase of Jewish Americans’ opinions of Muslims between 2018 and 2020.
This handout is a data-driven overview of who Muslims in America are, introducing students to the faces and voices of real Muslims.
This handout provides eight strategies for educators on how to best address religious-based bullying of Muslim kids.
This series of infographics highlights important findings from our 2019 American Muslim Poll. Use these as a tool to help students digest data points and support meaningful classroom discussions.
This handout provides teachers and administrators with recommendations on how to foster high-quality weekend Islamic school experiences.
Classroom Resources
American Muslim Poll
Our annual poll measures attitudes and policy preferences that impact the lives of American Muslims, including results from Catholics, Protestants, Jews, white Evangelicals, and the non-affiliated. Our findings provide empirical evidence that can be used to respond to stereotypes about American Muslims.
Muslims for American Progress
Today, issues surrounding American Muslims are central in our political discourse and popular culture. Yet most Americans say they don’t know a Muslim. The MAP project provides a much-needed, evidence-based portrait of a deeply misunderstood community. (Learn how Muslims are responding to COVID-19 here.)
Bibliography of Books about Islam and Muslims
This collection lists over 250 books published between 1966 and 2017 that focus on Muslims and Islam in the United States.
TEDEd Lesson – What It’s Like to Be a Muslim in America
Use ISPU Director of Research Dalia Mogahed’s TED talk to lead your students through a lesson on choosing empathy over prejudice.
Black Muslim Experiences
From independence to abolition, the Civil Rights Movement to the current movement for Black Lives, Black Muslim history is defined by resilience and struggle. This page highlights Black Muslim experiences that are too often ignored.
Videos for Your Students
The data from ISPU’s American Muslim Poll 2018 showed that most Americans want to live in a country free from bigotry against Muslims. But Islamophobia does exist in the margins—and it’s bad for everybody.
Rebecca Karam, Principal Investigator of ISPU’s Muslims for American Progress (MAP) project, discusses the contributions of Muslims to the state of Michigan, highlighting the stories of some truly inspiring individuals.
When you hear “Muslim women,” what do you think of? Here’s what the data from ISPU’s American Muslim Poll 2017 says.
What would an America without Muslims look like? Watch this video based on ISPU’s Muslims for American Progress (MAP) project to learn more.
How well do you know American Muslims? These facts from ISPU’s American Muslim Poll 2016 just might surprise you.
What is Islamophobia? Why is there so much of it? And how does it impact all of us? ISPU Director of Research Dalia Mogahed answers these questions.
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Spiritual Education
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 ages of 6 and 18. Based on the exchange of ideas at the convening, the participants came up with experience- and evidence-based recommendations that can be implemented by all those working in connection with Islamic schools.
Meet Adam and Mona.
They’re Muslim parents searching for a new weekend Islamic school for their kids. What should they look for? Watch this video to find out.
Additional Resources
These resources may be helpful for educators, though ISPU does not claim responsibility for the content.
ING provides educational resources for teachers, administrators, and staff, including interactive presentations about Muslims and their faith for middle and high school students.
This toolkit includes resources for parents, children, and their educators and coaches on preventing and addressing anti-Muslim bullying.
Meeting the Needs of Muslim Youth
This series looks at the unique challenges that today’s young American Muslims face, including religious literacy, online safety, drug use, and issues surrounding both convert care and race.
Meeting the Needs of Muslim Youth: Preventing and Treating Drug Use
What can American Muslim communities do to prevent
13 January, 2016
Meeting the Needs of Muslim Youth: Strengthening Religious Literacy
What basic knowledge and literacy gaps about Islam
13 January, 2016
Meeting the Needs of Muslim Youth: Growing Up Safe and Positively Engaged Online
This report focuses on understanding and addressin
13 January, 2016
Meeting the Needs of Muslim Youth: Getting Race Right
How can predominately South Asian and Arab America
13 January, 2016
Meeting the Needs of Muslim Youth: Supporting New Muslim Youth
How can we provide better support to convert youth
13 January, 2016
Other Reports You May Find Useful
2019 Survey of MSA West Student Members: Perseverance in the Face of Adversity
Muslim Student Associations are often an integral
02 July, 2019
State of American Muslim Youth: Research & Recommendations
American Muslim youth are a heterogeneous group, w
11 February, 2015Why We Must Learn America’s Islamic History
“In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blueR
25 January, 2012
Islamic Schools of the United States: Data-Based Profiles
The very essence of Islamic schools is the teachi
18 May, 2011
Educating the Muslims of America
As the Muslim population in the United States cont
26 February, 2009
Teacher Retention in Religious Schools as Primer for Teacher Retention in Public Schools
The cost of teacher turnover is soon to become the
18 October, 2006
