For years, the story of American Muslims has often been told as a community positioned, if not apart, then adjacent to the American religious story.

But data released by the Pew Research Centre this month turns that narrative inside out.

In the largest survey of its kind, Pew’s 2023–24 Religious Landscape Study (RLS) offers a sweeping portrait of religious life in America — and reveals a surprising symmetry.

It finds that Muslim Americans are not just keeping the faith, they’re also leading in classrooms and lecture halls across the country.

Forty-four percent hold college degrees, with more than a quarter having postgraduate credentials, far ahead of both Christians and the unaffiliated. And yet, their spiritual lives remain vibrant, with young Muslims praying, gathering, and believing as deeply as generations before them.

Six in ten American Muslims say religion plays a significant role in their lives, the nationwide study found. Among the American Christians, the number is 55 percent.

Source: TRT Global

The Mainstay Foundation is a 501(c)(3) service-oriented, nonprofit organization dedicated to strategic initiatives that serve the advancement of the Muslim community in the United States. Established in 2012, the Foundation was born from the efforts of a collective team of committed individuals with a shared passion for empowering and uplifting their community. With experience across a variety of institutions and organizations nationwide, this founding team brought together their talents and vision to create a sustainable and impactful foundation.

The name “Mainstay” reflects the organization’s purpose: to serve as a vital source of support—an essential pillar in helping the community not only exist but thrive. Believing in the power of collective action, the Foundation focuses on nurturing individual growth and strengthening institutions through organized, collaborative efforts.

The Foundation’s vision is guided by a core philosophy outlined in its evolving document, A Community in Motion, which invites community leaders and members to engage in shaping a stronger, more united Muslim society.

Rooted in the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Ahl al-Bayt, as interpreted by qualified jurists during the occultation of the twelfth Imam, the Foundation draws its guiding principles from deep theological and scholarly traditions. These principles affirm the sacred right to life, the importance of preserving human dignity, and the responsibility to safeguard all communities.

Mainstay promotes a strong sense of identity through a firm understanding of Islamic creed and encourages active participation in the wider society. With a local focus, national reach, and global mindset, the Foundation works to ensure that the values of compassion, justice, and coexistence remain integral to the evolving narrative of American Muslim life.

Contacts

Address: The Innovation & Leadership Center, 15170 N. Commerce Dr., Dearborn, MI 48120, USA

Phone: +1 (313) 264 4655

Email: info@mainstay.us

Website: https://www.mainstay.us/