About us

Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion, with its 1.8 billion adherents making up approximately one quarter of the world’s population. The growth of the Muslim population, including migration patterns, and differing interpretations of the faith, has brought Islam to the forefront of the political debate in many countries. Despite the presence of Muslims around the world, awareness of the religion and the culture remains largely unknown to the communities and societies they now call home.

Hailing from different countries, speaking different languages, and with unique customs and histories, Muslims are united in their beliefs and practices. Yet, despite the rich diversity of Islam’s adherents, singular narratives around the faith and the culture have dominated the public consciousness, and much more needs to be done to foster intercultural engagement and create opportunities for a more informed world.

The proliferation of online media has provided new avenues for those propagating extreme views of Muslims and Islam, helping the spread of misinformation and obscuring voices espousing tolerance. Sowing division and perpetuating negative stereotypes, these campaigns have led to the marginalization and exclusion of Muslims from social, political, and civic life.

Amidst a new rise in xenophobic violence and discrimination, there remain few platforms that facilitate open discussions about religion, culture and identity. The absence of prominent Muslim voices from the global stage further underscores the need to develop avenues for peace and understanding.

The Islam and Muslims Initiative (IMI) aims to be an international platform that connects Muslims and non-Muslims in the realms of religion, politics, business, media, academia and civil society, giving amplification to essential conversations and serving as a catalyst for positive action.