Islam in America: Major updates Christians should know about
- 7 days ago
- 7 min read
A note from our Co-Founder, Samya, on the “Islam in America” series:
We are starting this series to equip Christians in America with important news about Islam in America and Western countries and to provide a biblical foundation for their response. After each section, I’ve added my personal insights into these issues.
We can be informed about this topic without letting fear rule our hearts. Christ commanded us to love and preach the gospel! As the Muslim population in the US grows, so does our opportunity to reach them with Christ’s love.
In 2026, Islam is already in the forefront of Western news more and more. The influence of Islam continues to grow in Western countries, and with it, the Muslim population.
Our awareness of Islam and Muslims is growing, but is the Christian response matching this growth? How can Christians respond to the growing Muslim influence and numbers?
Please fill out this contact form with any questions you have about Islam in America.
A review of major Islam in America events:
New York City: A New Muslim mayor
In 2025, one of the biggest stories about Islam in America centered around New York City’s mayoral election. Zohran Mamdani became the first Muslim mayor of the major city and was officially sworn in on January 1, 2026, with his hand on a Quran.
Mamdani’s policies are in line with a communist way of thinking. Are Muslims usually favorable towards communist ideas?
Many of Mamdani’s policies reflect a communist ideology. This is not common for Muslims. But Mamdani’s alliance with communism is not a surprise.
Many Muslims who try to play roles in Western politics try to actively go against anything associated with a Christian or biblical worldview. Especially when Muslims are the minority or have less power, they often mix with other ideologies to gain places of influence. Once they become a majority, they get rid of all other ideologies and only implement Islamic law and Sharia law.
Plano, Texas: EPIC Mosque and City Development
The development of the East Plano Islamic Center (also known as EPIC City) is an example of the political and cultural non-assimilation of Islam. This 402-acre development includes a mosque, suburban housing, faith-based schooling, sports facilities, and even a community college.
The attorney general of Texas has sued the EPIC corporation for fraud: gaining funds and failing to verify anyone as “accredited investors.” This is not the first investigation into this development; four previous cases have been closed or resolved for discriminatory housing practices (by creating a Muslim-only community), illegal funeral services, violating consumer protection laws, or financial harm to investors.
Many are concerned that this development will serve as an example for more communities like this to grow around America.
Sources on the EPIC development:
Why are Islamic communities like this concerning? What should Christians do if there is one near them?
Anytime there are people groups who actively seclude themselves from the rest of culture and society, no matter the country they live in, there is stark division. The secluded group does not keep up with the rest of the culture and country, and in the case of Islam, which is a non-tolerant religion, this creates a threat to the area around them.
The more Christians leave Muslims alone in their own communities, the more risk there is. Seclusion like this creates the perfect environment for conservative extremist Muslim teachings to take root. This leads to the active oppression of women and children.
This also closes off opportunities for Muslims to hear the gospel. They remain stuck inside Islam, and if they dare to question this religion or even leave it, they pay a high price – sometimes death.
As Christians, we should shed our fear of not knowing enough and our fear of Muslims themselves. Be courageous to take the gospel to your Muslim neighbors through building relationships and bridges. A Christ-follower’s presence in their lives is very important. We can:
Connect them to the real world outside of their community. This is especially important for Muslim women who may not work or attend school. They may live in a Western country without any personal or cultural experience of freedom.
Introduce them to a God who wants to love them, not oppress them. We can share the love of Jesus by serving our Muslim friends and being intentional in building a relationship.
Always allow a place for conversation. Do not close off opportunities to talk and learn more about each other.
Irving, Texas: A new Islamic Center
There is another Islamic development in Irving, Texas that has been in the news: The Islamic Center of Irving. The vision and mission of this center are clear on their website.
ICI VISION
To become the minaret of Islam in the West.
ICI MISSION STATEMENT
To provide a Central Islamic Center for all people in the Irving and DFW Area, utilizing all avenues for da’wa, while providing an Islamic Environment and Comprehensive Islamic Education to the next generation.
The keyword to point out here is da’wa. Da’wa (or dawah) is the role of every Muslim to expand Islam (also called growing the ummah, the global body of Islam).
There are two types of da’wa/dawah:
Direct dawah/da’wa: converting non-Muslims
Indirect dawah/da’wa: political and cultural changes in Islam’s favor
Read more about this requirement for Muslims here: Everything You Should Know About the Ummah Of Islam in a Muslim's Life
How does understanding dawah and ummah affect my relationship with my Muslim neighbor?
Most Christians in the West are not aware that Islam, just like Christianity, is a missional religion. Muslims’ mission is to convert people and countries.
Dawah is a mandate for Muslims, just like the Great Commission is for Christians. And because Islam is a works-based religion, Muslims fight hard to bring new people to Islam to earn more rewards from Allah in paradise.
Christians must be aware of dawah. As we are reaching Muslims for Christ, at the same time, Muslims are trying to convert us. This is why it is key for Christians to know the truth about Islam and its practices. Many Muslims in the West present a watered-down, emotionally appealing version of Islam to gain emotional conversions. Then, once inside Islam, converts realize the truth of its darkness.
Austin, Texas: The Nueces Mosque
What started as a small community place in a small home for Muslim students at the University of Texas is undergoing a massive change. The Nueces Mosque was established in 1977 in Austin. In 2025, this center began major renovations to expand from one small building to a three-level complex, which will include a mosque, a seminary, and apartments.
The goal of the development is to serve as a role model for similar developments across the US at major universities.
Where are Muslims getting resources to build these buildings that cost millions of dollars?
One of the five pillars of Islam is zakat, which requires all Muslims to give 2.5% of their annual wealth. This zakat is used to expand Islam’s dawah by building mosques and empowering outreach to non-Muslims. Not only do individual Muslims give zakat, but entire Islamic countries give 2.5% of their annual wealth to zakat, meaning millions of dollars are poured into expanding Islam every year.
The rich in Islam also invest in building these mosques and community centers because of a very direct instruction from Muhammad:
“Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him a house like it in Paradise.” Sahih al-Bukhari 450
Any ground that Muslims buy or claim for Islam becomes Islamic territory, and they use it to fulfill their dawah.
Community centers and mosques like this are positioned to acquire new converts from the younger generation. This generation often does not have knowledge and experience of true Islam and will be emotionally driven to find community wherever they can.
How should Christians respond to Islam in America in 2026?
There are many different voices in the argument about Islam in America. Political parties each have their own stances depending on how Islamic groups support or fight against their political causes.
It seems there is a divide in the government’s response. Texas’ Attorney General is trying to combat Islamic expansion while New York is embracing it.
Where is the Church’s voice in all of this? Sadly, it is mostly silent. As Christians are trying to determine how to respond to the expansion of Islam in America, the Church is afraid to address it.
Possibly, the Church is afraid to engage in the topic because of the American practice of separation of church and state. The topic feels entirely politically-charged, and many Christians believe that means it's not the Church’s responsibility to speak.
What many Christians do not know is this: in Islam, there is no separation of religion and state. Islam is inherently both a religious and a political system. That means the growth in America is not just for political prowess and control, but also to gain more religious expansion.
The ummah of Islam is a core concept to understand. It is the international body of Islam, and it is the role of every Muslim to work to expand Islam. This happens through direct conversions and indirect expansion, like restructuring politics and culture instead of assimilating.
In light of all of this, what are Christ-followers to do? Take to the streets in protest?
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39
Your neighbor is now Muslim. What are you going to do about it?
The Body of Christ must be active in reaching the Muslims around them and sharing the gospel with them. It is not the time to sit back and watch to see what the nation as a whole will do. Churches must be intentional about educating their members about the true political heart of Islam and, at the same time, holding on to the second greatest command from Jesus: Loving our neighbors.
But even if they consider us enemies, Jesus is very clear about how to treat our enemies.
As individual Christ-followers, we all must be obedient to the Great Commission and to Jesus’ command to love our enemies and pray for them. It is your responsibility to pray and ask the Lord to break down the walls in your heart, reach out and befriend your Muslim neighbors, and learn the truth about Islam.
Practical ways to get started
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Is your church interested in hosting a seminar about Islam in America? Reach out to our team for a consultation call.
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