Teaching Comparative

More public opinion to consider

A new opinion poll from the Pew Global Attitudes Project surveyed attitudes in several countries about issues involving Muslims and immigrants. The results could be useful teaching tools or just good knowledge in the back of teachers' awareness.

First the New York Times article.


Poll Shows Bright View of Muslim Integration

"PARIS, July 6 — One year after bombings by Islamic militants in London set off intensive soul-searching across Europe about Muslim integration, a new survey has turned up surprisingly positive attitudes, both among European Muslims toward Europe and among society in general toward Muslims.

"The poll, carried out by the Pew Global Attitudes Project this spring in 13 countries, with additional samples of Muslims living in Britain, Germany, France and Spain, indicated that "Muslims are generally positive about conditions" in their countries of residence...

"Among Muslims in Europe who see a struggle within Islam between moderates and militants, most support the moderates. But allegiance to militant Islamic political movements is not insignificant; in Britain, 15 percent of the Muslims polled sided with the militants.

"The majority populations often worry that a growing Islamic identity could lead to violence. But many also worry that it could keep Muslims from adopting the national customs and way of life. In Germany, Britain and Spain, big majorities saw immigrants as wanting to remain distinct, as did a small majority in France..."


The Reuters report on the poll results emphasized different results:


British worries on Islamic extremism rising

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Worries about Islamic extremism in Britain rose markedly in the year since the London bombings, while growing numbers of Britons say immigration from the Arab world is a bad idea, a survey showed on Thursday.
In a new poll by the Pew Global Attitudes Project released on the eve of the attacks' one-year anniversary, 42 percent of people surveyed in Britain said they were very concerned about the rise of Islamic extremism in the country, compared to 34 percent in May 2005.

"In Germany, 40 percent said they were very concerned, up from 35 a year earlier. In France -- which faced riots that included residents of Arab and African origin last year -- and Spain -- itself the victim of Islamic militant bombings in 2004 -- the numbers dropped to 30 from 32 percent and to 35 from 43 percent respectively.

"Forty-three percent of Muslims surveyed in Britain also said they were very concerned by rising Islamic extremism, compared to 26 percent in France, 23 percent in Germany and 21 percent in Spain..."


The International Herald Tribune article is very similar to the New York Times report.


Muslims and Europe: Survey finds positive attitudes

"One year after bombings by Islamic extremists in London sparked intensive soul-searching across Europe about Muslim integration, a new survey has turned up surprisingly positive attitudes, both among European Muslims and in society in general...

"The survey also found that:
 
"The entry of women into modern roles is apparently welcomed by many European Muslims.
 
"European Muslims show signs of favoring a moderate version of Islam.
 
"The majority of European Muslims do not see many or most Europeans as hostile toward Muslims.
 
"More French people see immigration from the Middle East and North Africa as a good thing than did so a year ago..."

posted by Ken Wedding @ 10:07 AM