About American Muslim Experience

Learn why we exist, what we are building, and how we are doing it.

Our Mission

Volunteers at a soup kitchen prepare rice in a commercial kitchen, wearing black gloves and a mask, with another person in the background near a large oven.

The American Muslim Experience (AME) is dedicated to educating the public about the diversity of American Muslim stories through multimedia storytelling. Our goal is to foster understanding, empathy, and social progress by showcasing the cultural, religious, and personal experiences of everyday American Muslims.

We work to deepen public understanding by presenting nuanced, human-centered narratives that reflect the cultural, religious, and everyday realities of American Muslim life. Through publications, exhibitions, educational initiatives, and community partnerships, AME advances cultural literacy, counters misinformation with documented experience, and strengthens a more informed and inclusive civic society.

When communities tell their own stories, public understanding deepens

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When communities tell their own stories, public understanding deepens •

Our Vision

We envision a society where American Muslim experiences are recognized as integral to the American story.

We see a future in which documented, community-led narratives shape public understanding, strengthen cultural literacy, and contribute to a more informed and inclusive civic life.

By creating space for authentic self-representation, we are building long-term infrastructure for memory, education, and intergenerational dialogue; ensuring that American Muslim voices are preserved, accessible, and fully represented within the broader national narrative.

American Muslim Experience was founded by documentary photographer Syed Yaqeen as a long-term effort to document and preserve the diverse stories of American Muslims.

→ Read the Founding Vision

What We Do

Multimedia Storytelling

Our creative narrative work highlights authentic and personal experiences. We document the diverse stories of American Muslims through photo, audio, video, and multimedia storytelling.

Exhibits & Publications

We reach a broader audience, foster understanding, and challenge stereotypes through public exhibitions, photo books, and visual content that share unique narratives.

Archiving & Preservation

We are building a digital archive of portraits, interviews, and community histories documenting the lived experiences of Muslims in the United States today, to ensure these narratives are preserved for future generations.

Educational Programs

We develop educational programming and curriculum partnerships with schools, universities, and community institutions.

Our programs support cultural literacy, critical media engagement, and respectful dialogue. Through workshops, lectures, and collaborative projects, we provide tools for deeper understanding rooted in documented experience.

Community Engagement & Institutional Partnerships

We collaborate with cultural institutions, nonprofits, interfaith organizations, and civic groups to create programs, panels, screenings, and dialogue-based initiatives.

These partnerships extend our documentation into shared spaces where learning and exchange can occur across communities.

AME IN THE NEWS

We are honored to have the American Muslim Experience featured in the following media and publications:

These are just some of the wonderful ways the AME founder and projects have made an impact in sharing the important stories of everyday Muslims from across the country.

A close-up of a blue and gold prayer rug with intricate patterns of arches and columns.
Two people sitting on grass in front of a large red sculptural structure, with trees in the background.

DONATE TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION

  • Yes! We have nonprofit status as a 501c3 charity (EIN is 39-3567905).

    You can donate directly on the website.

  • Donations support the creation of photographic, audio, and multimedia products as well as our educational programs, publications, and outreach efforts.

  • Visit our Donation page: https://www.americanmuslimexperience.org/donate.