The U.S. Muslim population will swell from 2.6 million to 6.2 million in the next two decades, reports USA Today. Much of this growth will stem from immigrants arriving from South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, according to analysis by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
Yet despite increasing numbers, Muslims in America continue to battle negative perceptions. There is a tendency to associate all Muslims with the actions of the radical few.
Haroon Moghul, director of Maydan, a Muslim business and government communications group based in New York City, believes the findings from the Pew Forum will serve to improve the image of Muslims. “This report will add to the pressure Muslims feel to prove Islam is part of America,” he says. “People will do more to put themselves out there in a positive way to widen the American conversation about Islam. More numbers means more chances to be a positive force.”
U.S. companies should take note. An increase of Muslims in the U.S. population will no doubt mean a rise in the number of Muslims working in the country’s corporations. Successfully retaining this talent will require understanding the needs of this population and providing the necessary accommodations to create an inclusive work environment. (Learn more about Faith in the Workplace.)
Source: “Numbers of U.S. Muslims to Double,” by Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA Today, January 27, 2011. “U.S. Muslims Try to Counter Negative Perceptions,” by Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA Today, January 27, 2011.
