99 Cities of Global Muslim Impact

 
 

100 Cities of Global Muslim Impact: From Seattle Pilot to Global Movement

A groundbreaking research initiative documenting the cities shaping the past, present, and future of Muslim communities worldwide

The Project: Unprecedented Global Mapping of Muslim Urban Life

Since founding the Center for Global Muslim Life in 2020, we've been building toward the big idea of mapping the 99 cities of global Muslim impact. In our time when we see the limitations of the nation-state, we recognize that impact is best measured and power most effectively moved through cities.

The 99 Cities of Global Muslim Impact project is the first comprehensive study mapping the cities that will shape the future of Islam over the next 75 years. We're documenting not just where Muslims live, but where they're creating impact - culturally, economically, spiritually, and politically.

By 2100, Islam will be well established as the world's largest faith community. Yet we have no comprehensive understanding of where this transformation is happening or how it will reshape global Muslim life. Our groundbreaking research reveals that just 15 cities will house 447 million Muslims by 2100 - a 343% increase from today. The center of global Muslim life is shifting dramatically toward Sub-Saharan Africa, with cities like Dar es Salaam projected to grow from 4 million to 52 million Muslims, and Lagos reaching nearly 40 million Muslims by century's end.

This is the most significant demographic transformation in Islamic history. And it's happening now.

From Vision to Reality: Our Proven Seattle Success Story

Since founding the Center for Global Muslim Life in 2020, we've been building toward the big idea of mapping the 100 cities of global Muslim impact. In our time when we see the limitations of the nation-state, we recognize that impact is best measured and power most effectively moved through cities.

🏙️ The Seattle Pilot: Seven Breakthrough Projects

We didn't start with theory. We started with action.

Over the past two years, we've been piloting this vision in Seattle - one of America's fastest-growing cities. Our Seattle Muslim Impact Project has become the proof-of-concept that validates our global approach. Now we're ready to scale worldwide.

1. Future of Global Muslim Life Workshops Addressing current challenges and possibilities for power building, featuring our PNW Prayer Rug project (partnered with a number of local philanthropy partners to launch) and public narrative training for Muslims speaking at city halls and school district meetings.

2. Digital Muslim Impact Map Comprehensive mapping of Masajid, Musalas, Muslim-owned businesses, wellness resources, Islamic schools, and identifying gaps in public prayer access as a barometer for full belonging.

3. Seattle Muslim Impact Report Two years of research examining how Muslims impact the region through politics, business, technology, refugee leadership, arts, culture, spirituality, and sports - with case studies of unique power-building opportunities.

4. Annual Seattle City Hall Iftar Our third annual public iftar bringing together Muslim leaders with Seattle's political and philanthropic communities, launching research findings during Ramadan 2026.

5. Cascadia Youth Leadership Program Youth summits in Seattle and Vancouver building toward a year-long cohort program launching summer 2026, extending our reach across the entire Cascadia corridor from Portland to Vancouver.

6. Community Listening & Coalition Building Deep engagement with Muslim communities to understand their unique needs, challenges, and opportunities for impact.

7. Business & Investment Ecosystem Mapping Identifying opportunities for Muslim-led ventures and impact investing throughout the Pacific Northwest.

🌟 Seattle Results: The Model That Works

  • Proven community engagement across the Cascadia corridor

  • Established partnerships with 10 key philanthropy partnerships to launch projects and we have a grants databased that can be replicated in others cities

  • Government relationships through Seattle City Hall events

  • Youth pipeline development for next-generation leadership

  • Data-driven insights on Muslim community impact

  • Replicable methodology ready for global expansion

The Seattle success validates our approach. Now we're scaling to 100 cities globally.

Our Proven Three-Phase Methodology (2025-2030)

Tested in Seattle, Now Scaling Globally

Phase 1: Research & Publishing (2025-2026) Building on our Seattle success model

  • Complete demographic analysis of 112 cities across 6 continents

  • Publish comprehensive "100 Cities of Global Muslim Impact" flagship report

  • Release targeted regional reports: "The Future of Islam in the Americas" and regional analyses for Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Europe

  • Launch pilot Seattle Muslim Impact Report and PNW Prayer Rug project - Ramadan 2026

  • Launch full Seattle-to-Cascadia regional expansion (Portland to Vancouver)

  • Replicate our community listening programs in target cities worldwide

Phase 2: Network Building (2026-2028) Scaling Seattle's coalition model globally

  • Create localized Muslim Impact Reports for key cities (modeled on Seattle report)

  • Establish regional networks connecting Muslim communities globally

  • Launch Prayer Rug heritage projects in target cities (scaling from PNW success)

  • Expand our Seattle City Hall Iftar model to mayors worldwide

  • Develop relationships with grantmakers and business leaders in each region

Phase 3: Global Convening (2028-2030) From local impact to global movement

  • Host first Global Cities Network gathering (bringing Seattle model global)

  • Connect representatives from featured cities worldwide

  • Launch Muslim-led local impact investing partnerships (inspired by Seattle business ecosystem work)

  • Scale our youth leadership programs from Cascadia to global cohorts

  • Create sustainable funding models for ongoing network

What Makes This Different

This isn't another demographic study. We're building a comprehensive research ecosystem:

📖 The Flagship Report: "100 Cities of Global Muslim Impact" - The definitive global analysis setting the standard for understanding Muslim urban life worldwide

🌎 Regional Deep Dives:

  • "The Future of Islam in the Americas" - 20 cities analysis from Toronto to Buenos Aires

  • "Islamic Africa Rising" - Mapping the demographic explosion across Sub-Saharan Africa

  • "Asian Muslim Megacities" - From Jakarta to Dhaka, the continuing Asian Islamic story

  • "Middle East Transformed" - How traditional Islamic centers are evolving

  • "European Muslim Integration" - Diaspora communities shaping European cities

Each report provides actionable intelligence for communities, investors, and policymakers in that region while contributing to the global narrative.

Beyond research, we're building:

  • The first global cities network connecting Muslim communities across continents

  • Impact-focused analysis showing how Muslims are shaping their cities

  • Community-driven solutions emerging from local listening and wellness work

  • Investment opportunities for Muslim-led initiatives in key urban centers

  • Narrative change tools reframing how the world sees Muslim contributions

The Research: A Comprehensive Global knowledge database on the future

Six Groundbreaking Reports Releasing 2025-2026:

📊 "100 Cities of Global Muslim Impact" (Flagship Report) The definitive analysis of cities shaping Muslim life through 2100. Global distribution anticipated: 10,000+ copies across academic institutions, policy centers, and Muslim organizations worldwide.

🌎 "The Future of Islam in the Americas" (Regional Report #1)
Deep analysis of 20 key cities from Toronto to Buenos Aires, revealing how 7.8 million Muslims will shape the Western Hemisphere by 2100.

🌍 "Islamic Africa Rising" (Regional Report #2)
Documenting the most dramatic Muslim urban growth in history - cities like Dar es Salaam exploding from 4M to 52M Muslims.

🌏 "Asian Muslim Megacities" (Regional Report #3)
The continuing story of Islamic urban centers from Jakarta to Dhaka, including projections for the world's largest Muslim cities.

🕌 "Middle East Transformed" (Regional Report #4)
How traditional Islamic centers like Cairo and Baghdad are evolving while maintaining their spiritual and cultural significance.

🏰 "European Muslim Integration" (Regional Report #5)
Mapping diaspora communities from London to Berlin and their growing influence on European urban life.

The Impact: Why This Matters Now

For Muslim Communities

  • See themselves as part of a global network of Muslim urban influence

  • Connect across borders with communities facing similar challenges

  • Access resources for community building and economic development

  • Shape narratives about Muslim contributions to global cities

For Cities and Policymakers

  • Understand demographic shifts affecting urban planning and resources

  • Recognize Muslim contributions to economic and cultural life

  • Build inclusive policies for growing Muslim populations

  • Attract Muslim talent and investment through welcoming frameworks

For Investors and Philanthropists

  • Identify emerging markets in the world's fastest-growing cities

  • Support grassroots initiatives with massive scaling potential

  • Participate in impact investing aligned with Islamic values

  • Fund narrative change challenging stereotypes and building bridges

The Opportunity: Be Part of History in the Making

Why Fund This Proven Model Now?

1. Validated Approach We're not asking you to fund an experiment. Our Seattle pilot has proven the model works. Two years of successful community engagement, government partnerships, and measurable impact.

2. Ready for Scale
We've tested our methodology in one of America's most dynamic cities. We have the tools, partnerships, and experience to replicate this success in 100 cities globally.

3. Coalition-Driven Success Our Seattle work demonstrates that real change happens through coalitions, not individual organizations. We've built the partnerships that make global expansion possible.

4. Urgent Global Timing While we've been perfecting our approach in Seattle, demographic shifts are accelerating worldwide. The window to influence this transformation is now.

5. Movement-Building Track Record Our Seattle City Hall Iftars, youth programs, and community listening sessions show we don't just do research - we build movements that create lasting change.