About

What is the Muslim left?

Acacia explores the intersection of Muslim and leftist communities, where we overlap, where we are inextricably linked, and where we fracture.

On Muslim Identity

There are approximately 3 million American Muslims, including:

Muslims who practice the religion of Islam.

Muslims who were raised practicing the religion of Islam, but who are no longer practicing.

Muslims who are more spiritually inclined.

Muslims who have generational history in the United States, including descendants of people who were enslaved

Muslims who are first, second, or third generation to be born in the United States.

Muslims who have been rejected by other Muslims.

There are millions more people who are not Muslim because of what they look like, where they're from, or what they believe in, nevertheless feel informed by or invested in the Muslim identity.

Acacia is for anyone who identifies as or with Muslims.

On leftist thought

The contemporary American political landscape regards the left as any political ideology that is left of center, including everything from The Democratic Party to Marxists.

Acacia is committed to exploring the ideas and values that underlie the ideological left, meaning those that make social and economic equality inalienable.

‍There can be no racial justice without economic justice; there is no path to economic equality without the dismantling of white supremacy.

On religious content

Acacia does not specialize in publishing religious doctrine.

We publish religious content to the extent that it is relevant to the politics of the left, and political content that contemplates the Muslim identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called Acacia?

Our name is a reference to the acacia tree (Vachellia seyal). It’s generally thought to be a tree under which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and early followers of Islam gathered.

In the same tradition, Acacia is meant to be a place for our community to gather.

Why have a print edition?

Publishing a print edition allows us to build a tangible, enduring legacy of American Muslim political thought and artistic production. The internet may seem like forever, but everything on it is ephemeral. Ultimately, when we don’t own the platforms that host our data, our ability to preserve our stories for future generations is limited. Years from now, we hope that the back issues will tell the story of what it meant to be a Muslim in America during critical political and cultural moments. We believe that is an invaluable benefit worthy of investment.

How do I pitch?

Acacia’s primary scopes are political and cultural. We are committed to exploring the connection between the American Muslim community and the political left: where we overlap, where we are inextricably linked, and where we fracture.

We also publish poetry, short fiction, and cultural criticism.

You do not have to be Muslim to be published in Acacia.

Please send pitches for the print edition and web, as well as any questions about submission guidelines to: submissions@acaciamag.com