An ongoing debate continues as to the true size of the U.S. Muslim population. Some estimate that there are approximately eight million Muslims residing in the United States.

According to many sources, Islam has the highest conversion rates of any major world religion. In the United States, this is no different. Almost one-third of American Muslims are African-Americans who have converted to Islam during the last 70 years.

In addition to immigration increases, state, federal and local prisons are contributing to the growth of Islam in the United States. Some polls indicate Muslim inmates comprise up to 20 percent of the prison population.

Europe has already seen the effects of rapid Muslim population growth. Many liberal western countries including France, Switzerland, and Great Britain have seen a major spike in the number of Muslims living in those countries. Growing Islamic populations combined with low European birth rates are threatening the very fabric of society.

The Population Research Institute (PRI) indicates that most western nations are not having enough children to replenish their own populations. By contrast, Muslims are giving birth to numbers well above the natural replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman.

“Muslims are going to inherit the Earth,” according to PRI spokesman Joseph D'Agostino. “It's not anything the Muslims are doing; it's what [others] are not doing. If you don't want the world to turn into Saudi Arabia, maybe people other than Muslims need to start having some kids at the rate the Muslims are having kids.”

The socially accepted norms of birth control and abortion in western nations are in fact raising the ratios of Muslim population growth. Rapid Muslim growth alongside shrinking western populations could eventually lead to the institution of Sharia law in many places.

In democratic nations, majority rules. Therefore, it is very important to understand trends in population growth. As Islamic populations grow in the U.S. Muslims will have a larger stake in affecting policy and society.