The M Word seeks to elevate, amplify, and celebrate the diversity of Muslim-American voices. To help us, we are inviting audience members, online followers, panelists, and others to share their experiences.

Over the next two years, PEN America will collect and present online hundreds of stories from both Muslims and non-Muslims alike in an effort to deepen our knowledge and understanding of the rich and vibrant culture, history, and unique experiences of the millions of Muslims who live in America today. 

The stories that we collect will become part of the PEN Digital Archive, an online multimedia repository featuring over 50 years of the world’s foremost writers and thinkers tackling important issues at the intersection of literature and freedom of expression advocacy. 

Thank you for your interest. The M Word is no longer collecting entries. 

By submitting your story, you grant PEN America the right to use all still and motion pictures and sound recordings you provide in furtherance of its nonprofit charitable mission, including the right to advertising, promotion, and future marketing of PEN America and its activities via radio, television, video, DVD, the Internet, podcasts, PEN America publications, or any other use, by any means now known or hereafter devised, in perpetuity, throughout the universe.

PEN America’s new initiative The M Word is supported by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art’s Building Bridges program.