Fewer Americans Link
Islam to Violence
Washington, DC: The
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has welcomed
the results of a new survey showing that the public's concerns
over recent terror bombings do not translate into less favorable
opinions of either American Muslims or Islam.
The nationwide survey of 2,000 adults by the Pew Research
Center for the People & the Press and the Pew Forum
on Religion & Public Life also indicates that the number
of Americans who believe Islam is more likely than other
religions to encourage violence fell significantly to 36
percent from 44 percent two years ago. SEE: http://pewforum.org/docs/index.php?DocID=89
According to the survey, which was conducted between the
day of the first terrorist attacks in London and July 17,
a majority of Americans (55 percent) say they have a favorable
opinion of American Muslims. That figure is significantly
higher than the 45 percent holding favorable views in March
2001, prior to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
"The results of this survey may be an indication that,
while more work needs to be done, the American Muslim community's
anti-terror message is finally being heard," said CAIR
Executive Director Nihad Awad. "Ordinary Americans
seem to understand that Islam, like Christianity, should
not be defined by the acts of a tiny minority of extremists."
He said that Muslims are increasingly becoming part of the
fabric of American society, despite the rise in Islamophobic
rhetoric.
Awad added that CAIR recently released a nationwide television
public service announcement (PSA), called "Not in the
Name of Islam," designed to highlight the Muslim community's
condemnation of terrorism and rejection of those who carry
out terror attacks. Almost two million people have already
viewed the PSA. (To view the PSA online, go to: http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram)
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