Collections & Stories of American Muslims (
CSAM) was created in 1996 as a 501 © 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and the education of the history of Muslim Americans and the establishment of
America's Islamic Heritage Museum and traveling exhibits in the United States, and abroad, which reflects America’s rich Islamic history, culture and diversity.
Our purpose and mission as an organization is to shed light on the depth, diversity, growth, and history of Muslim Americans, plus to serve as a resource center for the history, enrichment, knowledge, and understanding of Muslim Americans. Muslims and Islam have been a part of the American fabric for centuries. It is part of the many threads of culture, colors, religions, and lifestyles that make up the American pluralistic quilt.
The exhibits represent the first major national exhibition that bring together an extraordinary range of documents and photos of Muslim Americans, and their connection with Muslims of the African Diaspora. Throughout America’s history from its very beginning Muslims have played a significant role. Muslims were among the earliest explorers of the Americas and veterans of the Revolutionary War. Yet, in the history books of the United States our voices and our experiences are not told.
There are many triumphs and achievements to discover. The exhibits bring to life America’s rich Islamic heritage with easy-to-comprehend text and eye-catching photographs of America’s early Islamic personalities, documents, writings, communities, and tombstones.
In the past fourteen years CSAM has reached more than 60,000 people.
The exhibit has been on display at public Museums and Libraries: The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum; DuSable Museum, Center for African History and Culture; Cleveland’s African American Museum; Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Cultural Center, New York; Washington DC Historical Society; Harvard University, Monroe Gutman Library; Martin L. King Public Library Washington, DC; Memphis, Tennessee Public Library; Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina Public Libraries.
The exhibit has been on display at Universities around the Country such as: Harvard University; Rutgers University; Howard University; Drew University; Fairleigh Dickinson; University of Indiana Bloomington; University of Illinois, Chicago; University of Illinois, Urbana; University of Pittsburgh; Stanford University, California; University of Florida; Shaw University Mosque; Univerisity of Maine, Portland; UDC University of Washington, DC; Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport, CT; Essex County Community College, Newark, NJ; NOVA Community College Woodbridge; and Wayne County Community College, Detroit, MI.
CSAM has been on exhibit for United States Agencies such as: The GSA General Service Administration in Washington, DC; the SSA Social Security Administration in Maryland; The State Department's International Visitor Program; Muslim Staffers US Capital Hill Rayburn Building; and the Pentagon's 2009 Iftar celebration.
Community Events and Programs for:The Amistead national program in Washington, DC and Portland, Maine; Mosque Care Chicago’s National Conventions; Chestnut Street Historic United Methodist Church, Portland, Maine; the Bermudian Government Tourism Department Bermuda; Masjid An Nur St. Thomas Virgin Island; Noorul Iman School, Monmouth Junction, NJ; the Muslim Community of Seattle, Washington; the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam, GA; and Muslim Journal.
Masjid Open houses at the Islamic Society of Central Jersey; Masjid Muhammad, Washington, DC; the Muslim Community Cultural Center, Baltimore, MD; Masjid Ar Rahmah, Baltimore, MD; ADAMs Center, Sterling, VA; Dar Hijra, Falls Church, VA; Islamic Society of Richmond, VA; New Bern Islamic Community, North Carolina; Islamic Center of Raleigh, North Carolina; Islamic Center Pittsburgh, Pa; and the Muslim Community Assocation, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
