WASHINGTON -- There are nearly 3.5 million Muslims in the United States, far fewer than previous reports claim, according to the latest estimate from a Muslim researcher.
Mohamed Nimer, a researcher with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, includes his data in "The North American Muslim Resource Guide." The guide is the first comprehensive listing and analysis of all types of Muslim organizations in the United States and Canada, according to The Associated Press.
Nimer bases his figure on data for immigrants and projections for U.S.-born Muslims from religious identifications on high school SAT questionnaires.
A survey cosponsored in 2001 by the Council estimated there were 6 to 7 million U.S. Muslims, including 2 million who attend mosque during major religious festivals.
Other estimates have ranged from as few as 1.1 million (a City University of New York study counting only adults) to 4.1 million ("World Christian Encyclopedia").
The guide lists 1,118 U.S. mosques and Islamic centers, located in every state except Vermont, and 174 in Canada. Nimer said most Muslim groups are less than 20 years old and continue to struggle in establishing themselves.
