Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
9-2025
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Program
Political Science
Advisor
Uday Mehta
Committee Members
Susan Woodward
Manu Bhagavan
Subject Categories
Arts and Humanities
Keywords
American Muslims, social movements, post-9/11, political mobilization, collective identity, minority rights, democratic participation
Abstract
This study examines the emergence of an American Muslim social movement from 2001 to 2021, arguing that the post-9/11 crisis created both unprecedented threats and unexpected political opportunities that catalyzed sustained collective action. Rather than retreating into isolation or assimilation, a significant segment of American Muslims chose what I term participatory engagement—mobilizing through established democratic channels to defend their civil rights, challenge discriminatory policies, and claim authentic belonging within America’s multicultural democracy. Through a systematic analysis of eight major organizations—including established groups such as the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) alongside newer entities like MPower Change—this study documents how a largely invisible and politically fragmented religious community has been mobilized around a collective political identity. The central argument posits that participatory American Muslim organizations had to frame their opposition to state policies as a patriotic defense of homeland security and democratic norms. The decentralized social movement crafted an American Muslim identity by highlighting a pan-racial religious identity and claiming full citizenship rights. Using social movement theory and framing analysis, this study traces the social movement through three stages: beginning with defensive civil rights advocacy, developing through institution-building and coalition formation, and culminating in proactive electoral organizing. This evolution occurred despite entrenched institutional and public Islamophobia, demonstrating pathways toward more inclusive democratic politics where coalition-building and social justice values can overcome discriminatory barriers.
Recommended Citation
Zuberi, Haya A., "Politics of Faith: The American Muslim Pursuit of Political Acceptance" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/6452
