Although the United States has elected a president whose middle name is Hussein, this does not signify that we have overcome the harmful stereotypes and inaccuracies that govern perceptions of and interactions with Muslims and Islam in the United States and throughout the world.  During the presidential campaign, few questioned why being a Muslim was seen as something to be secretive about or why many considered it wrong or immoral.  The media and the Obama campaign tried hard to correct the public’s mistaken perception about the candidate’s religious affiliation but rarely addressed the underlying question of what was wrong with being a Muslim or electing a Muslim to be president.  Because such misunderstanding, suspicion, and discrimination persist, institutions of higher education must continue to counteract the social perceptions and misinformation that prevent open communication and accurate understanding about Islam. 

Voices and Visions: Islam and Muslims from a Global Perspective has successfully initiated local and global conversations that inform and challenge people to reconsider their established perceptions about Islam and Muslims.  It disseminates information through multiple avenues of delivery and partners with various individuals and institutions that share a dedication to educating about issues of vital social value.  With a second round funding from the Social Science Research Council, we will build on the strong foundation that Voices and Visions has established by involving new partners, expanding our mediums of delivery from audio podcasts to videocasts and digital publications, and by further facilitating the public’s ability to engage in an open, yet guided conversation about Islam.

The Voices and Visions Project