Survey says top priorities for African American Muslim programs are youth, young adults and healthy marriage.
Survey results of a national study of African American Muslim views, led by a coalition of African American Muslim organizations, pointed to a clear consensus that the immediate priority for African American Masjids must be programs that focus on youth (ages 5-17), young adults (ages 18-34) and healthy marriage. MANA leadership concluded that these three identified priority categories can be summarized as a priority on family.
The survey was a collaboration of five organizations: Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Conveners of Imams of Imam W. Deen Mohammed Community, Muslim Journal, Al-Umma and Muslim Wellness Foundation. The purpose of the survey was to gain an accurate view of what priorities African American Muslim organizations should take. MANA in particular was committed to using the results to set organizational direction.
The top four program priorities identified were:
- Youth (ages 5-17) programs
- Healthy marriage programs
- Young adult (ages 18-34) programs
- Premarital education programming
A total of 317 African American Muslims filled out the online questionnaire in the summer of 2023. This group of 317 Muslims were very representative of the African American Muslim community: half of the respondents were female, and half were male; the various age groups were all represented; 60% of respondents were converts and 40% were raised Muslim; about 50% of respondents were simply attendees in a mosque; 30% were active in a mosque; and 20% did not attend a mosque.
An important and reassuring finding is that there is a consensus on priorities among all of the groups mentioned above.
| Top Four Program Priorities Compared by Age Groups | |||
| Rank | Ages 18-34 | Ages 35-64 | Ages 65+ |
| 1 | Young Adults | Youth | Youth |
| 2 | Healthy Marriage | Healthy Marriage | Healthy Marriage |
| 3 | Youth | Young Adults | Young Adults |
| 4 | Unity | Pre-Marital Education | Leadership Training |
| Top Four Program Priorities Compared to Gender | ||
| Rank | Female | Male |
| 1 | Healthy Marriage | Youth |
| 2 | Young Adults | Healthy Marriage |
| 3 | Youth | Young Adults |
| 4 | Unity | Pre-Marital Education |
Here is the full list and ranking of all 20 programs that respondents were asked to rank.
| Program and Ranking | Avg Score | Ranked as Highest Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Youth (ages 5-17) programs | 4.59 | 65% |
| Healthy marriage programs | 4.56 | 57% |
| Young adult (ages 18-34) programs | 4.46 | 57% |
| Premarital education | 4.40 | 55% |
| Increasing faith and commitment among attendees | 4.40 | 54% |
| Leadership training | 4.38 | 55% |
| More cooperation and unity among masjids | 4.29 | 47% |
| Personal wellness and healing | 4.26 | 47% |
| Imam Training | 4.26 | 43% |
| Adult education to better understand Islam | 4.22 | 46% |
| Social services for Muslims and non-Muslims | 4.17 | 41% |
| Financial literacy programs | 4.17 | 37% |
| Convert/revert care programs | 4.11 | 42% |
| Training in entrepreneurship and econ empowerment | 4.03 | 34% |
| Community activism—involvement in local community issues | 3.97 | 35% |
| New leadership in masjids | 3.87 | 29% |
| Helping attendees find jobs | 3.63 | 24% |
| Political involvement both local and national | 3.57 | 22% |
| Dawah to non-Muslims | 2.98 | 10% |
| Involvement in interfaith programs |
The organizing committee for the survey (listed in alphabetical order):
Bashir Ali, Conveners of Imams of Imam W. Deen Mohammed Community
Nadim Ali, Al-Umma and MANA
Ihsan Bagby, MANA
Akil Fahd, Al-Umma
Abdul Karim Muhammad, Muslim Journal
Salahuddin Muhammad, MANA and Conveners of Imams of Imam W. Deen Mohammed
Ayesha Mustafaa, Muslim Journal
Kameelah Rashad, Muslim Wellness Foundation
Mikail Stewart-Saadiq, MANA
