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Organized by Amin G. Aaser

The Muslim Identity Study: Raising Confident Muslims in America

$45,189

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526 supporters, 00h : 00m : 00s left
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Impact: Minneapolis, MN

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This campaign will collect all funds raised by March 1, 2017 at 12:45 AM EST

Join Noor Kids in conducting national research to identify specific, evidence-based, and actionable solutions to help raise confident Muslim kids.


To join us, click on the orange  "Support" button. Or, contribute through PayPal (link here)

Earlier this year, our team pioneered first-of-its-kind research (*DOWNLOAD INITIAL RESULTS HERE*) with San Francisco State University to understand the effects of Islamophobia on 5-to-9 year old kids. The results are troubling:

  • 1 in 3 children did not want to tell others that they are Muslim

  • 1 in 2 children did not know whether they could be both Muslim and American

  • 1 in 6 children would pretend not to be Muslim

Over the next year, we plan to expand our initial study, researching 5-to-10 additional cities across North America, to (a) understand the impact of Islamophobia on young Muslims, and (b) identify specific, evidence-based, and actionable solutions to strengthen the identity of young Muslims

But, to do so, we must raise $45,000 to cover the costs associated with conducting this research in ten cities across North America. For young Muslims, the road ahead may feel dark. But, with your support, we can - and will - build a brighter future. Join us!

In 1939, Kenneth and Mamie Clark conducted the landmark Clark Doll Study, in which they sought to understand how young Black children were affected by racism. When Black children associated negative characteristics, such as badness and ugliness, with Black dolls, and positive characteristics, such as goodness and beauty, with white dolls, the researchers discovered "internalized oppression."  That is, children began to look at themselves as inferior because of discrimination.

In early 2016, Noor Kids replicated the Clark Doll Study, but for Muslim children. The study was modified from the original format to appropriately study the impact of religion instead of race. Working with Dr. David Hemphill, former Dean of the College of Education at San Francisco State University, we discovered troubling results, including:

  • Lack of compatibility between American and Muslim identities
  • Significant evidence of internalized oppression
  • Parent decisions (e.g. to wear hijab or not), ethnicity (e.g. Arab vs Asian), and school choice (Islamic vs Non-Islamic), have a significant impact on children's attitudes

The full study, along with details on the study design and results are available below.


In 2017, we plan to conduct research across North America to support parents, teachers, and policy-makers in raising confident Muslim kids. Our plan is to conduct research across 5-to-10 cities in North America, answering the following questions:

  • How are 5-to-9 year old Muslims across the U.S. & Canada being affected by Islamophobia? How does the confidence in religious identity of Muslim children in America compare to Muslim children in Canada?
  • What are the common characteristics among children that exhibit pride in their religious identity and those that do not? How do parent decisions impact a child's religious identity?
  • What role, if any, does full-time or weekend Islamic school play in a child's identity development?
  • What effect, if any, does a family's decision to live in a Republican-majority city or a Democrat-majority city have on a child's identity development?


Our most significant expenses are associated with: (a) ensuring that qualified researchers are conducting the study, and (b) travel to the local sites where research is being conducted.


Noor Kids is a Harvard-supported monthly educational program that seeks to build  confidence in the religious identity of young Muslims. Each month, families receive new stories created by our team of creative, educational, and scholarly experts. Since launching, Noor Kids has been welcomed in over 25,000 homes across 25 countries. 

To view a free sample, click here.


Not Pictured, but super awesome and important members of our team:
Mahvish Irfan (Campaign Strategist & Communication Director), Saif Alnabi (Marketing), and Sam'n Iqbal, MA.Ed. (Content Manager)


As Seen On:


Buzz About Noor Kids Events:


Buzz About Noor Kids Children's Books:


While many of the gifts are self-explanatory, others require a bit of detail. Below, we've included relevant information associated with various gifts. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at amin@noorkids.com.

  • Events: From Seattle to San Jose, Chicago to Tampa Bay, Amin G. Aaser, founder of Noor Kids, delivers inspiring Jumu’ah Khutbas, community speeches, young adult seminars, and children’s stories focused on building confidence in the identity of young Muslims. 

    Amin's speaker biography along with sample event descriptions are available here. Recent photos from previous events are available here

  • Books: Bulk book gifts (e.g. 25 or 60 books) will have books that are individually packaged. These sets will have 25 or 60 copies of the same title. Titles can be viewed on NoorKids.com. Books are subject to availability. 

  • Pencil Sketches: Sketches will be drawn in a similar style as our employee photos above. Our talented illustrators will be designing them. 

Your giving amount

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Personal Thank You + Prayer

Our founder, Amin G. Aaser, will send a personal thank you for your support and will do a special prayer for you.

76 claimed

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Children's Book + Final Report

We will send you a copy of our title, "Giving Thanks!" as a token of appreciation. Also, when our research is complete, you will receive a copy of the final report.

129 claimed

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5-Book Gift Bundle + Final Report

You will receive a 5-book gift bundle of Noor Kids as well as a copy of our final report once it is complete.

117 claimed

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Personalized Cartoon Pencil Drawing + Final Report

Our amazing artists will create a personalized cartoon drawing based on a picture that you provide. Additionally, once the research is complete, you will receive a copy.

21 claimed

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12 Month Subscription + Final Report

Your family (or a loved one) will receive a copy of Noor Kids each month for the next year as a member of Noor Kids! In addition, you will gain access to the final report once it is available. [International supporters will receive an eight-book bundle of Noor Kids].

56 claimed

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25 Children's Books + Special Recognition + Final Report

We will provide you with 25 copies of Noor Kids that you can give as gifts to individuals in your community. We will also include you on our donor's page when the report is published. Finally, we will provide a copy of the final report when it is complete. [Only available in the U.S. and Canada].

35 claimed

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60 Children's Books + Special Recognition + Final Report

We will provide you with 60 copies of Noor Kids that you can give as gifts to individuals in your community. We will also include you on our special recognition page when the report is published. Finally, we will provide a copy of the final report when it is complete. [Only available in the U.S. and Canada].

12 claimed

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Two Children's Programs + Special Recognition + Personalized Pencil Cartoon

Our founder, Amin G. Aaser, will conduct two (2) one-hour children's programs in your community. One will be suitable for kids 4-to-8 and the other is for children 9-to-14. You will receive special recognition in our final published report, as well as a personalized cartoon pencil drawing based on a picture that you provide. *Travel not included.

6 claimed

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Youth Workshop + Two Children's Programs + Special Recognition + Personalized Pencil Cartoon

Our founder, Amin G. Aaser, will conduct a two-hour youth workshop focused on actionable methods to build confidence in religious identity, appropriate for 15-to-24 year olds. Amin will also perform two children's programs, one for 4-to-8 year olds and another for 9-to-14 year olds. You will also receive special recognition in our final published report, as well as a personalized cartoon pencil drawing based on a picture that you provide. *Travel not included.

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Family Night Program + Youth Workshop + Two Children's Programs + Special Recognition + Personalized Pencil Cartoon

Our founder, Amin G. Aaser, will conduct a one-hour family night program in which he details results from our 2016 study, focusing on evidence-based approaches for parents and community leaders to help raise confident kids. Amin will also lead a two-hour youth workshop focused on actionable methods to build confidence in identity, appropriate for 15-to-24 year olds. Amin will perform two additional children's programs, one for 4-to-8 year olds and another for 9-to-14 year olds. You will also receive special recognition in our final published report, as well as a personalized cartoon pencil drawing based on a picture that you provide. *Travel not included.

2 claimed

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Child in Next Book + Family Night + Youth Workshop + Two Children's Programs + Special Recognition

At this level, we'll include your child in one of our next Noor Kids books! We will also conduct a family night event, youth workshop, and two (2) children's storytelling events, one for 4-to-8 year olds and a second for 9-to-14 year olds in your community. You will also gain special recognition in our final published report. *Travel not included.

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Dedication + Everything Else

At this level, we will dedicate the research for the benefit of your children or any other loved one (living or deceased). We will also include your child in one of our next titles, conduct a family night event, youth workshop, and children's storytelling event in your community. You will also gain access to our research, when it is available, along with 100 copies of Noor Kids to distribute as gifts in your community. *Travel not included.

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