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30 April 2013

The World’s Muslims: Religion, Politics and Society

This report examines the social and political views of Muslims around the world. It is based on public opinion surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center between 2008 and 2012 in a total of 39 countries and territories on three continents: Africa, Asia and Europe.

Together, the surveys involved more than 38,000 face-to-face interviews in 80-plus languages and dialects, covering every country that has more than 10 million Muslims except for a handful (including China, India, Saudi Arabia and Syria) where political sensitivities or security concerns prevented opinion research among Muslims. [The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life] Read more

U.S. Muslims more moderate than Muslims worldwide

Muslims in America are much less inclined to support suicide bombing than other Muslims abroad, and are more likely to believe that people of other faiths can attain eternal life in heaven, according to a new report released Tuesday (April 30) by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

“The World’s Muslims” report looks at Muslim views across seven categories: Islamic law; religion and politics; morality; women; relations among Muslims; interfaith relations; and religion, science, and pop culture. There is also a special section on U.S. Muslims.

Of the countries surveyed, only a majority of Muslims in America — 56 percent — believe people of other faiths can go to heaven; by contrast, that figure among U.S. Christians is about 64 percent. U.S. Muslims are also less likely than Muslims abroad to believe in evolution, sharing views that are closer to those of U.S. Christians. [The Washington Post] Read more

29 April 2013

Germans see Islam as a threat

A major study of attitudes towards religion says Germans approve of openness towards other religions. But many are still suspicious of Islam.

Former German President Christian Wulff earned much praise but also much criticism when said in a speech during his tenure, "Islam is also a part of Germany."

The criticism can be partly explained by the "Religion Monitor," a survey put together for the Bertelsmann Foundation. The findings have been published, and among them is the fact that half of all Germans believe that Islam does not fit into the Western world. [Deutsche Welle] Read more

28 April 2013

Half of Germans See Islam as a Threat

One in two Germans considers Islam to be a thread. 50 per cent of Germans are also convinced that Islam does not fit in in Germany. 18 per cent of Muslims in Germany and 25 per cent of those polled in Turkey also share this opinion. This is the result of the new "Religionsmonitor" from the Bertelsmann Institute, whose numbers are present exclusively in the "Welt am Sonntag".

It shows: Half of the population do not share the view of former federal president Christian Wulff, that Islam is part of Germany. Also internationally Islam is seen as a threat: 76 per cent of Israelis, 60 per cent of Spanish, 50 per cent of Swiss and 42 per cent of US Americans judge it to be dangerous. But also Judaism is seen by 19 per cent of East and West Germans as a threat. [Islam versus Europe] Read more

03 April 2013

Pakistan youth prefer Sharia to democracy

A survey by a British organisation shows a larger number of young Pakistanis believe the country should be governed by Islamic law rather than democracy.

The report issued on Wednesday by the British Council found that 38 per cent of Pakistanis between the ages of 18 and 29 thought Sharia law was the best political system for Pakistan. Thirty-two per cent chose military rule, and democracy came in last with 29 per cent. [South China Morning Post] Read more