American Muslims

Muslim immigrants in the United States share the same characteristics as any other immigrant group coming to America looking for a chance at prosperity. Immigrants form close communities, maintain many of their customs and cultural ties to their home countries and their faith. However, Muslim immigrants are at the center of a large struggle between Western governments, moderate Muslim communities and extremist groups. In spite of these pressures, Muslim Americans have proven resistant to radicalism and extremist ideology. Their success in education, finance, and integration into American society has defeated radicalization and its violent component. In stark contrast to Western European Muslim communities, Muslim Americans are more like their non-Muslim neighbors than Muslim immigrant populations in other Western democracies. However, there are risks to Muslim Americans that create potential for possible violent extremism; Muslim leaders, communities, and the United States must address the risks to prevent the growth of homegrown Muslim extremists. The social mechanisms of why a person chooses to become radical and subsequently violent are not based on specific ideologies; instead, the process is common to all, whether Salafi jihadists or white supremacists.