Poster #154 - Latino Attitudes Toward American Muslims and Islam: Public Opinion Insights to Strengthen Cross-Community Policy Coalitions

• In Event: Saturday Poster Luncheon

Abstract

As the U.S. continues to grapple with rising polarization, understanding how racial and religious groups perceive one another is critical for crafting inclusive public policy. This paper presents findings from the nationally representative Latino Attitudes Toward American Muslims and Islam survey conducted by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), in partnership with IslamInSpanish. It explores how Latino communities perceive Muslims and Islam in the U.S., with a focus on identifying opportunities for cross-community coalition-building grounded in shared policy concerns.

The study finds that Latinos exhibit significantly lower levels of Islamophobia than other major racial or ethnic groups. Many Latinos express familiarity with Muslims and recognize shared values and experiences, including encounters with racial profiling, discrimination, and immigration-related challenges. Yet misconceptions—especially around gender and Islam—persist, often shaped by limited interpersonal contact and media narratives.

This paper will examine:

-Attitudinal measures of Islamophobia among Latinos;

-Levels of Latino familiarity with Muslims and Islam;

-Perceptions of value alignment and difference;

-Influences of media exposure on intergroup understanding;

-Overlapping policy concerns, including immigration, civil rights, and anti-discrimination protections.

The paper will conclude with policy implications for practitioners, advocates, and policymakers seeking to build more effective intergroup alliances between Latino and Muslim communities. These findings point toward new opportunities to craft intersectional, coalition-based policy agendas on immigration reform, religious freedom, and racial equity—particularly in states with growing Latino and Muslim populations.

This submission is relevant for conference attendees interested in public opinion research, immigration policy, racial justice, and interfaith community engagement. The presentation aims to bridge research and practice by offering data-driven insights that can inform coalition-building efforts among nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and scholars.

Author

• Sajeela Munir, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
  Presenting Author