Masjids Must Stand With the Name Muhammad

Islamophobia is rising. This may not be news to you.

In Texas, the State Board of Education has approved lessons that will teach children in the classroom that the Prophet Muhammad was "brutal," God's blessings be upon him. Now the President has turned the name Muhammad into a rally joke. Meanwhile, federal agents raided the home of Representative Ilhan Omar, one of the most prominent Muslim women in America, in what news reports describe as an effort to strip her citizenship and expel her from the country.

Some in your community will want the masjid to say something strong. Others will want to keep their heads down and stay safe. A masjid can do better than both. It can lead with calm, connect with neighbors, and open its doors.

Thinking points for masjid leaders

The joke fits a wider campaign that paints Muslims as foreign. Florida passed a law in April 2026 that bars courts from using "religious or foreign law" and names Sharia. In Texas, Governor Abbott vowed in September to "fully ban Sharia law," and the Attorney General has investigated a Dallas Islamic mediation group. A group in Congress called the Sharia-Free America Caucus now has more than 60 members.

• Fear is the real target. The aim is to make Muslims hide. A masjid that stays open, friendly, and visible defeats that aim.
• Our neighbors are mostly fair. Most Americans do not want their leaders to mock anyone's faith. Give them a way to say so.
• This is an opportunity for Dawah. Speak about the Prophet and his message of mercy, God's blessings be upon him.

Talking points for your imam and spokesperson

• "Muslim parents in this town name their sons Muhammad out of love for the Prophet, God's blessings be upon him."
• "Our masjid serves this town. Our members save lives every day in your hospitals."
• "Ask any Muslim here what Sharia means in daily life. You will hear about prayer five times a day, the Ramadan fast, helping the poor, honest dealing, and caring for family. It also tells us to keep our promises and obey the law of the land."
• "No religious law replaces American law. Not Sharia, not Jewish law, not Catholic Canon Law."
• "The most famous American Muhammad was Muhammad Ali. America cheered when he lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta."
• "Our doors are open. Come and meet your Muslim neighbors."

What your masjid can do

• Order two brochures for your neighbors. Call Sound Vision at 800-432-4262 to order two brochures in bulk, written for neighbors of other faiths. One is about the U.S. Supreme Court honoring the Prophet as one of the great lawgivers of the world. The other is about how American Muslims live Sharia. Ask your members to each take ten for their neighbors and coworkers. It is a Dawah opportunity. Hand them out at your open house, at interfaith events, and door to door in the streets around the masjid.
• Remind people that this is an opportunity for Dawah. Silence is not an option. This is a chance to educate our neighbors. "Invite all to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and kind advice, and only debate with them in the best manner." (Quran 16:125)
• Give a calm Friday khutbah. Talk about our duty to be Shuhada Alan Nas, witnesses to humanity (Quran 2:143). Mention the character of the Prophet and the meaning of his name, "the praised one." Share the story of the people of Makkah who called him Mudhammam, "the blamed one," and how he said their curses did not reach him because he was Muhammad (Bukhari). Tell people to talk with their children at home about it. End with what the community will do. Keep it short and hopeful. God's blessings be upon the Prophet.
• Issue a short statement. One page or less. Thank the people who spoke up. Say what the name means to Muslims. Invite the public to visit. Leave out partisan words. A sample is below.
• Open your doors. Hold an open house within two weeks. Call it something simple, like "Meet Your Muslim Neighbors." Serve food. Have young people give tours. Put a table with a sign that says, "Ask us anything."
• Host a "The Greatest" night. Prime Video's new series on Muhammad Ali begins November 4, 2026, and traces his rise from a teenage Olympic champion to heavyweight champion of the world, when he took the name Muhammad. Hold a watch-and-talk night for youth and invite a church youth group. Ask: "Why did he keep his name when people mocked it?"
• Help people vote. Without naming any candidate, remind members that Election Day is November 3. Post early voting hours. Offer rides to the polls. Help new citizens find their polling place.
• Call your interfaith partners. Ask local pastors and rabbis to say a word in their services. Invite them to your open house. Thank them in public when they do.
• Prepare for the media. Choose one trained spokesperson. Give that person these talking points. Return reporters' calls the same day.
• Keep your people safe. Hate incidents often rise after remarks like this. Review your safety plan. Report any threats to local police.
• Care for the children. Ask your weekend school teachers to talk with students, especially boys named Muhammad, about teasing at school. Tell parents to call the school if it happens.

Sample statement for your masjid

[Masjid name] is saddened that the name Muhammad was made into a joke at a public rally. For nearly two billion people, it is the name of a beloved Prophet, God's blessings be upon him. Muslim parents in our town give it to their sons with love and hope. We do not answer mockery with anger. We answer it by serving our neighbors and opening our doors. We invite everyone in [city] to our open house on [date] at [time] to meet the people behind the name. We thank the faith leaders and neighbors who have already reached out to us.