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Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Background and Acknowledgments
A Study of Public Opinion and the Role of the Media in the United States and Western Europe
A Study by: Communique Partners A Market Intelligence Consultancy 822 D Street San Rafael, California, 94901 USA 415-453-9030 Contact: Chris Yalonis, President Copyright © 2005 by Communique Partners LLC Page 1
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
BACKGROUND AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Authorship and Editing:
Surveys:
This book was researched and assembled by Chris Yalonis, President of Communique Partners, Gabrielle Mogannam, Project Director, and Katy Milton, Project Assistant.
The US and Europe Public Opinion Poll survey was written by Communique Partners. The survey programming, translations and fielding were managed by Nikki Berlack, and Doug Haynes from Research Resolutions.
Origins: This report is the result of a study done by Communique Partners, a leading San Francisco-based market intelligence consultancy, commissioned by The Kuwaiti Ministry of Islamic and Cultural Affairs, with the guidance of New Future/4M Advertising, a leading Kuwaiti media and communications firm. The research for this report was done between January-September, 2005.
Funding: Throughout the period of January 2005 and September 2005, the production and commissioning of this report was generously funded by The Kuwaiti Ministry of Islamic and Cultural Affairs, with the guidance of New Future/4M Advertising, a leading Kuwaiti media and communications firm.
The Secondary Public Opinion Polls were conducted by The Pew Research, USA Today, Cornell, Gallup polls, Zogby International, CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) and The Muslim Association of Brittan.
Editorial Team: Chris Yalonis, Gabrielle Mogannam and Katy Milton
Design: Gabrielle Mogannam
Book Cover: Gabrielle Mogannam
Website: www.islamperceptions.org
Page Page 2 2
Background and Acknowledgments
BACKGROUND AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Communique Partners would like to thank the following for their contributions and consultations: 1. Jocelyne Cesari 2. Nihad Awad 3. Sulayman Nyang
© 2005 Communique Partners, LLC All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers.
4. Zahid Bukahri 5. Bruce Lawrence 6. Amir Hussain
Communique Partners LLC A Market Intelligence Consultancy
7. Salam Al-Marayati
822 D Street
8. John Esposito
San Rafael, California 94901 USA
9. Laurent Murawiec
Phone: 1-415-453-9030 Fax: 1-415-480-2089
10. Carl Ernst
Chris Yalonis, President
11. Trevor Mostyn
[email protected]
12. Tudor Lomas
www.communiquepartners.com
13. Akbar Ahmed 14. Robin Richardson
Please go to www.islamperceptions.org for a full book version of this study.
15. Laila Al-Qatami 16. Meyrav Wurmser
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
CONTENTS INSIDE THIS BOOK Background and Objectives
2
I. Executive Summary
7
II. Expert Commentary and Background
19
A Historical Perspective
20
The 9/11 Attacks
22
Legacy of Stereotypes
23
A Paradox
24
Islamophobia
25
Drivers of Perception of Islam and Muslims
27
Role of the Western Media in Portraying Arabs and Muslims
31
The Nature of Muslim Communities in Europe and the US
33
What can be Done to Improve the Image of Muslims and Islam
34
III. Results of Public Opinion Surveys in the US Western Europe 38 Key Findings
39
Attitudes about Religious Groups, Islam and Muslims
42
Overall Opinion of Muslims who live inside my Country
42
Overall Opinion of Muslims who live outside my Country
43
Importance of Religion and Opinions of Various Religious Groups
44
Violence and Religion
45
Knowledge of Islam and its Commonality with other Religions
46
General Opinion of Islam
47
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Executive Summary
INSIDE THIS BOOK War on Terrorism or Islam?
48
Knowledge of Arabs (Middle Eastern)
49
Overall Opinion of Arab Muslims
50
Interaction Comfort Level with Arab Muslims
50
Difference between Arab Muslims and non-Arab Muslims
51
Media Influences on feelings about Arab Muslims
51
publications, Websites, or TV Regarding Muslims or Islam
52
Accuracy of Media’s Depiction of Arab Muslims and Islam
52
Personal Influences on Feelings about Arab Muslims
53
Exposure to Islam and Arab Muslims
54
Personal Experience with Arab Muslims
55
What do most Arab Muslims Believe?
55
Perceptions of Arab Muslims in their own Country
56
Terms Associated with Islam and Arab Muslims
57
Perceptions of Middle Eastern Counties and Interest in Visiting
58
Countries Desired to Visit
59
How to improve the perception of Arab Muslims
60
IV. Secondary Public Opinion Polls
61
Plurality Sees Islam as More Likely to Encourage Violence
62
Religion and Politics: Contention and Consensus
64
Americans Struggle with Religion's Role at Home and Abroad
66
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
INSIDE THIS BOOK Views of a Changing World 2003
68
A Year After Iraq War
70
Great divide splits U.S., Islamic cultures, poll finds
72
Restrictions on Civil Liberties, Views of Islam, & Muslim Americans
74
Survey finds American distrust of Muslim world
76
American Muslim Poll 2004
77
Islam and Muslims: A Poll of American Public Opinion
79
Survey Into Attitudes Towards Islam
81
V. Media Scan Analysis
82
Summary of Findings
83
TERM SET ONE: Politics, Society and Economics Themes
85
TERM SET TWO: Extremism and Violence Themes
87
TERM SET THREE: Religious themes
89
TERM SET FOUR: Culture and customs themes
91
VI. Reference and Sources
93
Public Opinion Polls on Islam in the West
94
Articles
96
Media Relations Guidelines
99
Books
100
White Papers/Reports
103
Islamic Websites
106
Islamic Websites/Academia/Universities
112
Islamic Websites/UK Muslim Organizations
115
Profiles of Experts Interviewed
117
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Executive Summary
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction: This report is the result of a study done by Communique Partners, a leading San Franciscobased market intelligence consultancy, commissioned by The Kuwaiti Ministry of Islamic and Cultural Affairs, with the guidance of New Future/4M Advertising, a leading Kuwaiti media and communications firm. The report covers research done from January-September, 2005, as a part of ongoing research done by Communique Partners on the Western Perception of Islam, the role of the media, and multicultural communications and understanding. Study objectives: •
Better understand the image and perception of Islam and Muslims, as well as Arab Muslims in Western Europe and the US
•
Understand how Islam is perceived versus other religions
•
Identify the key drivers and influences of that perception, and how they are shaped
•
Uncover the role of the media in shaping the perception
•
Identify the stereotypes and filters of thought that affect how Muslims and Arabs are perceived
•
Identify means of improving perception and intercultural understanding between Muslims and the Western public
Study components: The study included the following components: •
Public opinion poll (online) of 1010 US adults and 1410 Western Europe adults. This used random sampling from a multi-million person database, balanced for general population representation. The survey results have a margin of error of +/- 3% with a 95% confidence level.
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
EXECUTIVE SAMMARY
•
Interviews of Islamic and media experts in government, academia, industry, public affairs, and media
•
A quantitative analysis of online and offline media articles and topical association with Islam
•
A review and summary of important research sources, reports and books on the topic
•
A review and summary of other third party public polls taken by other research firms
A Historical Perspective:
W
estern Perception of Islam and Muslims has long been dominated by confrontation and negativity. In Europe, Islam was a direct military threat for centuries. Christian thoughtleaders saw Mohammed in a lowly state. European colonialism rooted in Islamic territory. Europe had a direct experience with Islam, but never welcomed it in Europe. In the US, there has been little experience or representation of Islam up to the 1980’s. Today, Muslims represent between 1-2% of the US population, 3% in the UK and 7-10% in France and between 5-10% of the other EC countries. The US embassy hostage crisis defined much of America’s perception of political Islam. In the 1990’s, US perception continued to be dominated by militant, extremist and political issues. These were reinforced by the attacks on US embassy’s and military bases in Africa, and the Middle East. The general perception was that the primary public face of Islam was anti-American and militant. The 9/11 attacks in the US dramatically increased the visibility of Islam. “The image of Islam is not something that a lot of people thought about prior to 9/11. But after 9/11, a broad new group of Americans sought out books on Arabs and Muslims, and there emerged many news talk radio and TV programs and lectures on Islam and Muslims”, says Akbar Ahmed, Chairman of Islamic Studies at American University. “Experts”, some legitimate and some questionable as to credentials, emerged to speak on Islam, often incorrectly, in media interviews. The biggest question on most American’s minds was “Why do Muslims hate us so much?” President George Bush early in the immediate days after 9/11 made a concerted effort at communicating to the public that Islam was a religion of peace and that the vast majority of Muslims are not anti-American or terrorists. Yet, in the years following, that message has not been adequately reinforced by the Bush administration.
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Executive Summary
EXECUTIVE SAMMARY
Drivers of Perception of Islam and Muslims:
M
uch Western literature and popular culture has portrayed Arabs and Muslims negatively over the past 200 years. This has occurred in the absence of really positive and hopeful and accurate images of Muslims that include everyday people but also heroes, people who are extraordinary people. TV coverage of terror and war
Most people’s perceptions of Islam and Muslims in Europe and the US are shaped by media coverage. The media has been slow to cover ordinary Muslims and Islamic culture, preferring to show graphic images of fiery imams, gun toting militants, and anti-American demonstrations, with emotions and actions taken in the name of Islam. “If it bleeds, it leads”. News directors will lead news coverage with terror attacks, anti-American demonstrations, and hostage images to shock and engage jaded viewers. The absence of a countering view contributes to the selecting of these stereotypes and people start to believe them. Stereotyping in movies, TV shows, cartoons, and other media Some cartoonists say the easiest way to describe a Muslim is a guy in a funny headdress. Few western TV programs and movies have characters of Middle Eastern descent. If they do, they have been often been stereotypical, wide-eyed, bumbling, radical militants. Public Perception Stereotyping The perception of Muslims and Islam varies by country, ethnic group, and whether the discussion is about Muslims as individuals or Islam as a political movement. The majority of people in the US and Europe have a favorable opinion of Muslims as individuals, as neighbors, friends and work colleagues. But in a politicized context, Muslims and Islam are viewed mostly negatively, especially those of Arab descent. Common stereotypes include: •
Terrorist
•
Anti-American
•
Religious zealot, using Islam to justify militant extremism
•
Anti-modern
•
Anti-women rights
•
Anti-democracy
•
Shady rich, oil sheik
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
EXECUTIVE SAMMARY
Yet, peaceful and non-politicized images mix with negative ones. This study’s public opinion survey showed that the most common terms associated with Islam and Arab Muslims include (in order of most prominently mentioned): •
Mosques
•
Veiled women
•
Devote observers of their faith
•
Bearded man with turban and robe
•
Imam or holy man
•
Oil
•
Terrorists
•
Men with guns
•
Good members of their community
Robin Richardson, Director of Instead Consultancy, Editor of UK’s Islamophobia Report, highlights what he believes to be one of the paradoxes. “On the one hand there are the stereotype terrorists or primitive people who are opposed to the West. But simultaneously there is this image of Muslims as civilized, courteous, moral, principle people and that would be a recurring experience of people in British cities who interact with Muslims. The Muslim people they meet are good reliable citizens. The Muslims they read about in the newspapers are terrorists.” Common mindset of Islam as a monolith Islam and extremism often are linked inextricably, with no commensurate linkages done with Christianity or Judaism examples. Most Americans and Europeans do not understand the multi-cultural and the diversity of the 1.2 billion Muslims in the world.
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Executive Summary
EXECUTIVE SAMMARY
Conservative “experts” and pundits
U
ntil recently, there has been a predominance of mostly conservative, anti-Arab leaning “experts” and pundits that make themselves available for news and media interviews. For example, there are about 300 think tanks in the US, mostly in the Washington-Boston corridor. The large majority of them are conservative-leaning and many of them have set up Middle Eastern sections and Islam studies groups. Some of these groups tend to write and speak publicly on the dangers and threat of Islamic fundamentalism and extremism. Many see Islam increasingly as a monolith and cultural and security threat. These conservative think tanks are often funded by wealthy conservative and pro-Israeli donors and foundations. The members of the think tanks, or “fellows”, have an academic aura in their reputation and positioning, but in truth, their writings and talks are not held to the peer review as in university circles. But they are often on TV and radio and lecture circuits, placed by highly paid professional speaker bureaus and public relations firms. There has been few countering Islamic spokespeople. Israeli-Palestinian conflict About 70% of Americans are slightly or very pro-Israel. Jewish interest groups have been active in American politics and opinion making for over 40 years. They are well funded and have relationships with news professionals and journalists. Many other ethnic, religious and industry groups have successfully funded PR and lobbying efforts. Relative to these groups, the European and American Muslim communities do not have strong PR or lobbying efforts. Christian Fundamentalists Leading spokesmen, such as Pat Robertson, Billy Graham, and Jerry Falwell have made antiMuslim public comments and even hold well formed anti-Muslim positions in their lectures and preaching. Silencing of Muslim self-criticism Relative to other ethnic groups, Muslims in the West do not tend to speak up and write editors or call in to news organizations or TV shows when anti-Muslim and anti-Arab broadcasts are made. This contrasts with the Jewish, Hispanic or African American communities, which are much more vocal. Muslims do not want to appear openly critical of fellow Muslims, lest they be seen as contributing to the extensive forces of condemnation.
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
EXECUTIVE SAMMARY
Public Opinion Survey Results
P
ublic opinion surveys (2420 online interviews) were run in the US, Germany, UK, Netherlands and France in the MarchAugust, 2005 timeframe and included some of the most detailed coverage of opinions ever done on Muslims and drivers of that perception. Muslims rated the lowest in overall favorability among various religious groups. •
27% overall had a very or somewhat unfavorable opinion of “Muslims who live inside my country” •
25% of US respondents-unfavorable opinion
•
25% and 28% and 27% of UK, French and German respondents respectively
•
Most negative: Netherlands, 33% very or somewhat unfavorable
•
For “Muslims who live outside my country” and “Arab Muslims”, 3-10% more respondents (depending on the respondent country) had a unfavorable opinion than for “Muslims in my country”
•
32% overall had a somewhat or very unfavorable opinion of Islam, 40% in Netherlands (highest)
•
Protestants and Catholics had the highest favorability ratings at approximately 40%
•
20% of respondents had a very or mostly favorable opinion of “Muslims who live inside my country”, but 5% less for “Muslims outside my country” and “Arab Muslims”
Perception of Arab-Muslims and Islamic Countries •
A quarter of the respondents believe that all or most Arab Muslims are anti-American, but only 7% believe that all or most Arab Muslims favor terrorism
•
Only 17% believe that all or most Arab Muslims favor modernity and only 7% believe that they are in favor of equal rights for women
•
The countries most favorably viewed included: Egypt, Morocco, Turkey and Kuwait. Most disliked were: Iran, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia
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Executive Summary
EXECUTIVE SAMMARY
Ignorance of and lack of empathy with Islam is widespread •
Half of the respondents say they had very little or no knowledge at all of Islam or Arab Muslims, although only 20% of the Netherlands respondents indicated little knowledge
•
76% said that “my religion and Islam are very different” or that they “do not know enough to determine if their religion and Islam have a lot in common”
•
49% believe that Islam is more likely than other religions to encourage violence
•
38% believe that the US is fighting a war on Islam or both Islam and terrorism
Among those who had unfavorable opinions of Arab Muslims, the most common open ended, unprompted sentiments included: •
“Arab Muslims are radical/violent/extremists/terrorists”
•
“Religious zealots who have twisted their religion”
•
“Anti-Semitic and closed minded”
•
“Treat women badly”
•
“Do not like or trust them”
Among those who had favorable or neutral opinions of Arab Muslims, the most common open ended, unprompted sentiments included: •
“They are people just like everyone else and do not deserve discrimination”
•
“Deserve to live how and believe in what they choose”
•
“Generally good opinion”
•
“A minority cause the problems”
•
“Some are good and some are bad-I judge based on the individual”
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
EXECUTIVE SAMMARY
Media is influential in shaping the perception of Arab Muslims. •
TV documentaries and news are the most influential media in influencing feelings about Arab Muslims, followed by newspapers
•
Each of the other media outlets, such as books, magazines, movies, Websites have half the influence of TV
•
A quarter of the all respondents read or watch TV regarding Islam and Muslims at least 1 or more times a week, mostly news about the war on terror and in Iraq
•
About 37% have very limited exposure to news and information about Islam and Muslims (once every 2 months or more or never in the past year)
•
Nearly three quarters of the respondents believe that the media depicts Arab Muslims and Islam accurately only half of the time, not often or never
Other Drivers of Perception •
On a personal level, two thirds of respondents are comfortable with having a Arab Muslim as a friend, interacting with their family, having them as neighbors.
•
As important in shaping feelings, is a personal experience with Arab Muslims, their religious beliefs and their education
Only a quarter of the US and UK respondents have Arab Muslims friends, colleagues or family members; the German and Dutch respondents slightly more; (versus 59% of the French) and a very small percentage have ever participated in an Islamic activity (such as Ramadan) What can be done to improve the perception of Arab Muslims and Islam? •
The most common responses to this open-ended, unprompted question were:
•
Increased education and communication
•
More media balance and more positive coverage, not just negatives
•
Less religious zealotry by radical Muslims-return to peaceful teachings
•
Reduction in terrorism
•
Increased interaction, more acceptance of other religions
•
Government leaders restraining their extremists and refusing to condone violent behavior
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Executive Summary
EXECUTIVE SAMMARY
Other Third Party Opinion Poll Results The study also reviewed other third party opinion polls done by other research organizations and found consistent results.
A Year After Iraq War, Mistrust of America in Europe Ever Higher, Muslim Anger Persists, Pew Research, February 19-March 3, 2004
American Muslim Poll 2004, Zogby International, August 5 to September 15, 2004
Great divide splits U.S., Islamic cultures, USA Today, March 04, 2002 Do you think a better understanding between Western countries and Muslim countries will occur?
Very Soon
Never
USA
3%
19%
Iran
10%
21%
Jordan
6%
47%
Kuwait
5%
22%
Lebanon
5%
40%
Pakistan
6%
14%
Saudi Arabia
11%
28%
Turkey
5%
15%
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
EXECUTIVE SAMMARY
Plurality Sees Islam as More Likely to Encourage Violence/ VIEWS OF ISLAM REMAIN SHARPLY DIVIDED, Pew Research Center, July 2004
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Executive Summary
EXECUTIVE SAMMARY
What can be done to Improve Perception and Understanding? Build consensus among Muslims across the board between American Muslims and European Muslims as to what the problems are and what best to do to affect change. Create balanced content on Islam. •
Supply proper information nationwide to counter the “lack of good, objective books about Islam.”
•
Create intelligent, savvy websites that are informative, cover serious issues and provide a resource for young and old, and to introduce a broader awareness.
Get the right spokespeople and work with the media. •
Hire the people that have contacts with the media.
•
Individual experts and those in academia who are independent are sometimes best to present the message.
Communicate a more balanced view of Islam in the West. •
Western media organizations must see normal Muslims in everyday life, as professionals, educators, parents, community leaders and participants.
•
Heroic and human interest stories featuring American, British and French Muslims must increase.
•
Muslims must call and write their local media when they see/hear erroneous or bias reporting and shows.
Depict Muslims in day-to-day types of things in media-relations. •
Example: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) had a nationwide television and radio public service announcement (PSA) campaign, called "I am an American Muslim," designed to help reduce anti-Muslim discrimination and stereotyping.
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
EXECUTIVE SAMMARY
•
CAIR's 30 and 60-second PSAs feature American Muslims of European, African-American, Hispanic, and Native American heritage. Each person in the spots states how they and their families have served America and ends by saying, "I am an American Muslim." 1
Invest in Academia, think tanks and lobbying. •
Endow a Chair in a Islamic or Religious Studies department or institute
•
Interested donors from the West as well as in the Middle East and Asia need to fund think tanks and lobbying groups to counter the anti-Muslim and anti-Arab think tanks and talk show pundits.
Invest in Western media-relations. •
“Newspapers, radio, television, all these venues are shaping the views and attitudes around the world. So it’s very important to have presence. Not to influence, not to control, not to have monopoly, but to be present.”
•
“The media for whatever reason is not interested in the moderate voice.” It is important to create a balanced view in the media rather than continuing with the stereotypical portrayal of Muslims.
•
“Always complain about biased coverage.”
•
“Telephone television and radio stations and complain about any sort of bias coverage and secondly write letters to the press every time one feels something is being covered with a bias.”
Support and use the Muslim Community. •
“Your greatest asset is your local Muslim community.”
•
Western Muslims can act as a bridge between the West and the Muslim World. “They know the language and they know the people and the culture.”
____________________________________ 1
CAIR's 30 and 60-second, “I am an American Muslim” public service announcement campaign.
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Expert commentary and analysis
II. EXPERT COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS This chapter is based on an analysis of books, reports, articles, and secondary research on the topic of Islam and the West, as well as a series of expert interviews. Chris Yalonis, President of Communique Partners, the study authors, interviewed a group of US and European experts in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies, media relations and diplomatic relations. The experts came from leading universities, media, business, and think tanks in the US and Europe. Communique Partners identified, through literature and Web based searches and networking, some of the top experts on the topic of Islam and Muslims in the West. A list of some 75 experts were winnowed down to several dozen. Based on their availability and interest and the study project schedule, we were able to collect personal interviews with 16 experts from a variety of institutions and perspectives. Biographies of the contributors are available in the reference section.
Experts who contributed to this chapter included: 1. Jocelyne Cesari, Fellow at Harvard’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies 2. Nihad Awad, Executive Director, CAIR, USA 3. Sulayman Nyang, Director of MAPS (Muslims in American Public Square). Howard University 4. Zahid Bukahri, Director of American Muslim Studies, Georgetown University 5. Bruce Lawrence, Duke University, Chair of Religion 6. Amir Hussain, Islamic scholar, California State University 7. Salam Al-Marayati, Executive Director, Muslim Public Affairs Council 8. John Esposito, Professor, Center for Muslim Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, 9. Laurent Murawiec, Fellow, Hudson Institute 10. Carl Ernst, Chair of Religious Studies, University of North Carolina, 11. Trevor Mostyn, Journalist, expert on European media coverage 12. Tudor Lomas, Director of Jemstone, BBC correspondent, Middle East media consultant 13. Akbar Ahmed, Chairman of Islamic Studies, American University 14. Robin Richardson, Director of Insted Consultancy, Editor of UK Islamophobia report 15. Laila Al-Qatami, Communications Director, ADC (American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee) 16. Meyrav Wurmser, Director of the Center for Middle East Studies, Hudson Institute
Page 19
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Perceptions of Islam in the US and Europe:
T
he perception of Islam and Muslims in the West has had a long history marked by confrontation and negativity. In Europe, Islam was a direct military threat to Europe for centuries and during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Islam was a problem for Christian thinkers, who saw it and its prophet Mohammed in a very lowly state. But this standing religio-cultural challenge did not prevent European imperialism from building its institutions on Islamic territory in the colonialism era. Europeans had a direct experience with Islam and did express a sense of what Islam meant to them. Nonetheless, Islam was never welcomed in Europe.
In America, there was neither experience with nor the solid representation of Islam. Up until World War II, there was very little contact with Islam and there was no distinct place in America for Islam. Americans began to know about Islam because of the news about oil, Iran, Afghanistan and terrorism in the late 1970s and through the 1980’s. Whereas in Europe, a major newsprint story might include a cultural representation of a bearded imam in a minaret on its cover, in the US news story, a quiet scene like this would be emblazoned with a caption such as “Islam, The Militant Revival.” This merging of cultural Islam with terror and extremism evolved into an American obsession.
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Expert commentary and analysis
A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Perceptions of Islam in the US and Europe:
D
uring the 1990’s, the US perception of Islam continued to be dominated by militant, extremist and political issues. Attacks on US embassies and military bases in Africa, and the Middle East continued to reinforce the general American public perception that the primary public face of Islam was anti-American and militant.
Europeans had a direct experience with Islam and did express a sense of what Islam meant to them. Nonetheless, Islam was never welcomed in Europe. In America, there was neither experience with nor the solid representation of Islam. Up until World War II, there was very little contact with Islam and there was no distinct place in America for Islam.
Page 21
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
THE 9/11 ATTACKS:
T
he attacks on US soil on September 11, 2001 dramatically in“the image of Islam is creased the visibility of Islam in the press and in public and not something that a private discussion among Americans and Europeans. Many Amerilot of people thought cans, up to that point, had little interest or knowledge of Islam, beabout prior to 9/11”. sides what they read in the news when there was a story about Akbar Ahmed, AmeriIslamic extremist attacks abroad or a US business event in the can University, ChairMiddle East. According to Akbar Ahmed, American University, man of Islamic Studies Chairman of Islamic Studies, “the image of Islam is not something that a lot of people thought about prior to 9/11.” But after 9/11, a broad new group of Americans sought out books on Arabs and Muslims, and there emerged many news, talk radio, and TV programs and lectures on Islam and Muslims. Experts, some legitimate and some questionable as to credentials, emerged to speak on Islam, often incorrectly, in media interviews. The biggest question on most American’s minds was “Why do Muslims hate us so much”? President George Bush, early in the immediate days after 9/11, did a good job communicating to the public that Islam is a religion of peace and that the vast majority of Muslims are not antiAmerican or terrorists. Terror in the name of Islam was a gross anomaly, a horrific warping of the tenets of the Faith. In spite of this, anti-Muslim feelings increased in the general American public and were reflected in the press and in public policy circles. Robin Richardson, Director of Instead Consultancy, Editor of the UK Islamophobia Report suggests that the negative views in the US are the views of a closed mind, specifically in regard to the media. He further explains that a typical characteristic of the “closed mind” is a feeling that all Muslims are the same. Bruce Lawrence, Chair of Religion, Duke University refers to “a general American perception - the equation of Islam equals Arabs equals anti-western, sometimes anti Jewish or anti Semitic (opponents, violence, terrorist). A lot of Americans have this ready-made equation in their heads or more often just simply in their day to day experience that Islam is Arab is terrorist.”
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Expert commentary and analysis
LEGACY OF STEREOTYPES
J
ocelyne Cesari, Fellow at Harvard’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies makes a connection between significant historical events and the presence of stereotypes. “You have this huge legacy of stereotypes and they are reactivated long throughout centuries at different times and events that are triggering the use of these stereotypes. Some of these are but not limited to; assuming that women must wear the hijab and the abaya, women are not well represented in the workplace, honor killings, polygamy, etc. As Salam Al-Marayati, Muslim Public Affairs Council suggests, “The common person does not have a real grasp of Islam. The perception is that we just follow these clerics and whatever they say, we do. We have lost the ability of critical thinking.”
“The common person does not have a real grasp of Islam. The perception is that we just follow these clerics and whatever they say, we do. We have lost the ability of critical thinking”. Salam Al-Marayati, Executive Director, Muslim
The perception of Muslims and Islam varies by country, ethnic group, and whether the discussion is about Muslims as individuals or Islam as a political movement. The majority of people in the US and Europe have a favorable opinion of Muslims as individuals, as neighbors, friends and work colleagues. But in a politicized context, Muslims and Islam are viewed mostly negatively. Common stereotypes include: •
Terrorist
•
Anti-American
•
Religious zealot, using Islam to justify militant extremism
•
Anti-modern
•
Anti-women rights
•
Anti-democracy
•
Islam politicized
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
I
s the media in Europe more balanced? Trevor Mostyn, Journalist, expert on European Media coverage feels that Europeans are more understanding of the situation in the Middle East and “the perceptions of the Islamic world in Europe have been in many ways changing for the better”. John Esposito feels that in general Europeans have been ahead of the US and are more sensitive to the problem than the US.
A PARADOX
R
obin Richardson, Director of Instead Consultancy, Editor of UK’s Islamophobia Report, highlights what he believes to be one of the paradoxes. “On the one hand there are the stereotype terrorists or primitive people who are opposed to the West. But simultaneously there is this image of Muslims as civilized, courteous, moral, principled people and that would be a recurring experience of people in British cities who interact with Muslims. The Muslim people they meet are good reliable citizens. The Muslims they read about in the newspapers are terrorists.” “The Muslim people they meet are good reliable citizens. The Muslims they read about in the newspapers are terrorists.” Robin Richardson, Director of Instead Consultancy, Editor of UK’s Islamophobia Report
Page 24
Expert commentary and analysis
ISLAMOPHOBIA
A
s stated recently by the “No one should underestimate the resentment and sense of Secretary of the UN, injustice that members of one of the world's great religions, Kofi Annan, "Islam's tenets cultures and civilizations felt as they looked at unresolved are frequently distorted and conflicts in the Middle East, the situation in Chechnya and taken out of context, with the atrocities against Muslims in the former Yugoslavia.” Kofi particular acts or practices Annan, Secretary of the UN being taken to represent or to symbolize a rich and complex faith," he said in an address entitled "Confronting Islamophobia: Education for Tolerance and Understanding," part of a UN-sponsored series on "Unlearning Intolerance." "Some claim that Islam is incompatible with democracy, or irrevocably hostile to modernity and the rights of women. And in too many circles, disparaging remarks about Muslims are allowed to pass without censure, with the result that prejudice acquires a veneer of acceptability." “No one should underestimate the resentment and sense of injustice that members of one of the world's great religions, cultures and civilizations felt as they looked at unresolved conflicts in the Middle East, the situation in Chechnya and the atrocities against Muslims in the former Yugoslavia,” Mr. Annan said. "But we should remember that these are political reactions - disagreements with specific policies. All too often, they are mistaken for an Islamic reaction against Western values, sparking an anti-Islamic backlash," he said. Together modernizers and traditionalists believe the most populous Muslim countries are not Arab, but are located in non-Arab Asia, from Indonesia to part-Asian, part-European Turkey. “In analyzing Islamophobia, therefore, it was important to take into account not only the role of extremism in Islam, but also the role of extremism among Christians and Jews,” he said. 1
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1 Islamophobia, issues, challenges and action. A report by the Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia, Chaired by Dr Richard Stone
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
ISLAMOPHOBIA
Examples of Islamophobia in the West include: •
verbal and physical attacks on Muslims in public places
•
attacks on mosques and desecration of Muslim cemeteries
•
widespread and routine negative stereotypes in the media, including the broadsheets, and in the conversations and ‘common sense’ of non-Muslims – people talk and write about Muslims in ways that would not be acceptable if the reference were to Jewish people, for example, or to black people
•
negative stereotypes and remarks in speeches by political leaders, implying that Muslims in Britain and the US are less committed than others to democracy and the rule of law – for example, the claim by a UK government minister that Muslims more than others must choose between ‘the British way’ and ‘the terrorist way’
•
discrimination in recruitment and employment practices, and in workplace cultures and customs
•
bureaucratic delay and inertia in responding to Muslim requests for cultural sensitivity in education and healthcare and in planning applications for mosques
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lack of attention to the fact that Muslims in Britain and Europe are disproportionately affected by poverty and social exclusion
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non-recognition of Muslims in particular, and of religion in general, by the law of the land, since up until recently discrimination in employment on grounds of religion has been lawful and discrimination in the provision of services is still lawful
•
anomalies in public order legislation, such that Muslims are less protected against incitement to hatred than members of certain other religions
•
Laws curtailing civil liberties that disproportionately affect Muslims 1
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1 Islamophobia, issues, challenges and action. A report by the Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia, Chaired by Dr Richard Stone
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Expert commentary and analysis
DRIVERS OF PERCEPTION OF ISLAM AND MUSLIMS
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here are several key drivers of US and European perception and attitudes about Islam and Muslims.
Literature and Popular Culture: The legacy of literature News coverage focusing on and popular culture portraying Arabs and Muslims negatively sensationalism, terror and over the past 200 years has had an effect on today’s dramatic imagery. “If it perception for the Western public. According to Bruce bleeds, it leads.” Lawrence, “there is both a long record of too many negative events: political, economic, social events that describe Muslims in a bad light. The other side of the coin is the absence of what I would say are really positive and hopeful and accurate images of Muslims that include everyday people but also heroes, people who are extraordinary people.” News coverage focusing on sensationalism, terror and dramatic imagery: “If it bleeds, it leads.” We cover this topic in more detail in this section. Conservative “experts” from think tanks and pundits: There are about 300 think tanks in the US, mostly in the WashingtonBoston corridor. The large majority of them are conservative and many of them have set up Middle Eastern sections and Islam studies groups. Some of these groups tend to write and speak publicly on the dangers and threat of Islamic fundamentalism and extremism. Many see Islam increasingly as a monolith and cultural and security threat. These conservative think tanks are often funded by wealthy conservative and pro-Israeli donors and foundations. The members of the think tanks, or “fellows”, have an academic aura in their reputation and positioning, but in truth, their writings and talks are not held to the peer review as in university circles. But they are often on TV and radio and lecture circuits, placed by highly paid professional speaker bureaus and public relations firms.
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
DRIVERS OF PERCEPTION OF ISLAM AND MUSLIMS
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cademics, Muslim interest groups, military experts: There are very few countering views coming from any other think tanks. Any pro-Muslim or Arab viewpoints in TV or radio debates typically come from academics from Islamic studies centers at universities or from Muslim lobbying groups, such as ADC, CAIR or MPAC in the US. Sulayman Nyang, Director of MAPS (Muslims in American Public Square) at Howard University believes that the people who can affect the most significant change are the people in academia, who are independent. He feels that they are the ones that most want to see a balance. Stereotyping in movies, TV shows, cartoons, and other media: Arabs and Muslims have long been negatively stereotyped in Western movies, TV shows and cartoons. Bruce Lawrence, Chair of Religion, Duke University, suggests that the media is still representing Muslim images as that of 40 years ago when the majority of Muslims were Arabs. These images are immediately recognizable and draw readers/ viewers attention. He states, “I have cartoonist friends and they say the easiest way to describe Muslim is a guy in a funny headdress.” Carl Ernst, Chair “I have cartoonist friends and they say the easiest way to of Religious Studies at the Uni- describe Muslim is a guy in a funny headdress.” Bruce versity of North Carolina, refers Lawrence, Chair of Religion, Duke University, to the lack of positive Muslim images in the movies, “in the movies Arabs are the equivalent of Hollywood Indians.” A main driver is television and the influence it has over people’s opinions of Muslims. Trevor Mostyn, journalist, expert on European media coverage uses the Palestinian example. “There has been this perception created by television that you have soldiers with guns and tanks on one side and children with stones on the other side.” He further states that “television loves the image of the ugly, ferocious blood curdling Muslims” and that the very articulate, mainstream, Muslims are rarely seen on television in Britain. According to Nihad Awad (CAIR) the absence of a countering view contributes to the selecting
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Expert commentary and analysis
DRIVERS OF PERCEPTION OF ISLAM AND MUSLIMS
of these stereotypes and that people start to believe them. He feels that the role of the media is growing, and the media takes over more and more from our thinking. This also contributes to the bias against Muslims and Arabs. Common mindset of Islam as a monolith: Islam and extremism often are linked inextricably, with no commensurate linkages done with Christianity or Judaism examples. Many Americans and Europeans do not understand the multi-cultural and the diversity of the 1.2 billion Muslims in the world. Israeli-Palestinian conflict: About 70% of Americans are slightly or very pro-Israel. They view Muslims through the filter of violence
The European and American Muslim communities do not have strong PR or lobbying efforts. Muslims in the West do not tend to speak up and write editors or call in to news organizations or TV shows when anti-Muslim and antiArab broadcasts are made.
and the pro-Israeli view that most US news programming provides. In spite of this, there is little evidence of a Jewish conspiracy in the Western media. The vast majority of media organizations seek to be balanced. At the same time, Jewish interest groups have been active in American politics and Electric Fence at Baka-El-Garbia, Israel-Palestine 2004. opinion making for over 40 years. They are well funded and have relationships with news professionals and journalists. Many other ethnic, religious and industry groups have funded PR and lobbying efforts. The European and American Muslim communities do not have strong PR or lobbying efforts. Christian Fundamentalists: In the past 5 years, there has been a rise in Christian fundamentalist TV and radio programs on the air, especially with the rise in cable and satellite subscribers. Some of their leading spokesmen, such as Pat Robertson, Billy Graham, and Jerry Falwell have made anti-Muslim public comments and even hold well formed anti-Muslim positions in their lectures and preaching.
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
DRIVERS OF PERCEPTION OF ISLAM AND MUSLIMS
Silencing of Muslim self-criticism: Muslims in the West do not tend to speak up and write editors or call in to news organizations or TV shows when anti-Muslim and anti-Arab broadcasts are made. This contrasts with the Jewish, Hispanic or African American communities, which are much more vocal. Muslims do not want to appear openly critical of fellow Muslims, lest they be seen as The European and contributing to the extensive forces of condemnation. Brotherhood American Muslim comis genuine. But, as one Muslim scholar says, “instead of using munities do not have Islam as a critical reasoning framework, many Muslims fall into a strong PR or lobbying rationale to become reactive and complaining and blaming, which efforts. serves only to increase the powerlessness and frustration of being a Muslim.” Muslims in the West do not tend to speak up and write editors or call in to news organizations or TV shows when anti-Muslim and antiArab broadcasts are made.
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Expert commentary and analysis
ROLE OF THE WESTERN MEDIA IN PORTRAYING ARABS AND MUSLIMS
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he portrayal of Arabs and Muslims varies by media type but it is typically stereotypical and negative, although improving especially in certain prestigious news organizations. Terrorism, anti-Americanism and the Iraq occupation dominate TV news coverage of the Middle East. There is an expression in the US about TV news: “If it bleeds, it leads.” News directors will lead news coverage with terror attacks, antiAmerican demonstrations, and hostage images to shock and engage jaded viewers. In American movies, stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims have been common for 50 years. In the majority of movies that include an Arab character, it is a negative portrayal. Arabs are terrorists, bumbling wide-eyed extremists, rich businessmensheiks, or crass neighbors and undesirable outsiders. In some cases in TV shows, they are depicted as seemingly ordinary citizens but in quiet terrorist sleeper cells, waiting for an order to strike or sabotage on American soil. In the past 30 years of thousands of TV show series, there have been less than 10 characters who have been Arab-Americans. In print, stereotypes are not so obvious, except in cartoon caricatures, but they still occur and anti-Muslim bias is more insidious. The terms Islamic or Muslim are linked to extremism,
In the majority of movies that include an Arab character, it is a negative portrayal. Arabs are terrorists, bumbling wide-eyed extremists, rich businessmen-sheiks, or crass neighbors and undesirable outsiders. In some cases in TV shows, they are depicted as seemingly ordinary citizens but in quiet terrorist sleeper cells, waiting for an order to strike or sabotage on American soil.
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
ROLE OFTHE WESTERN MEDIA IN PORTRAYING ARABS AND MUSLIMS
militant, jihads as if they belonged together inextricably and naturally (Muslim extremist, Islamic terror, Islamic war, Muslim time bomb). In many cases, the press talks and writes about Muslims in ways that would not be acceptable if the reference were to Jewish, black or fundamentalist Christians.
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Expert commentary and analysis
THE NATURE OF MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN EUROPE AND THE US The nature of Muslim Communities in Europe and the US
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uslim communities in Western Europe are characterized by large immigrant populations which are fairly homogenous ethnicities. Muslim communities are largely Turkish in Germany, North African in France, and Pakistani/Indian in the UK. This can lead to ethic bigotry and ethnic stereotyping.
Western media organizations must see normal Muslims in everyday life, as professionals, educators, parents, community leaders and participants. Heroic and human interest stories featuring American, British and French Muslims must increase.
In the US, there is a heterogeneous Muslim population. About two thirds of the estimated 2-3 million American Muslims are immigrants or descendents of immigrants. The other one third are African American converts to Islam along with smaller numbers of white American converts and Hispanic Muslims. The largest Muslim communities are in Boston, New York City, Detroit, Toledo, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. The Arab American community is about 40% Muslim. Until a few decades ago, American Muslims were mostly invisible in the West. But the Iranian revolution, hijackings, hostage taking, 9/11 were all events that raised the visibility of Muslims in the West. Some saw these events as signs of an Islamic threat or a clash of civilizations, Islam versus the West. America’s relationship with Muslims was seen within a context of conflict and confrontation. Islam was seen as a foreign religion, distinct from JudeoChristian tradition. American Muslims as well as European Muslims have been challenged to define their place in western culture. They struggle with the relationship of faith to national identity, intermarriage, gender relationships, and education. Muslims tend to fall outside the American circle of pluralism.
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE IMAGE OF MUSLIMS AND ISLAM? Build Consensus among Muslims
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irst and foremost there must be a consensus across the board between American Muslims And European Muslims as to what the problems are and what best to do to affect change. There is a real need to communicate a more balanced view of Islam in the West. Western media organizations must see normal Muslims in everyday life, as professionals, educators, parents, community leaders and participants. Heroic and human interest stories featuring American, British and French Muslims must increase. American and European Muslims must become more active in the media as professionals (cameramen, journalists, editors, broadcasters). Muslims must call and write their local media when they see/hear erroneous or bias reporting and shows. Interested donors from the West as well as in the Middle East and Asia need to fund think tanks and lobbying groups to counter the anti-Muslim and anti-Arab think tanks and talk show pundits. Changing the Image
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ulayman Nyang, Director of MAPS (Muslims in American Public Square), asks “How do you move from the basement to the ground floor to the penthouse”? The image of Muslims in the West is tainted by the stereotypes which have become all too familiar. Time and time again these stereotypes are used to portray Muslims throughout the media because they are so recognizable. Meyrav Wurmser, Director of Center for Middle East at the Hudson Institute, states that “American pop culture has simplified it to its very basic element of good versus evil.” There are several areas where efforts can be concentrated to help affect change. There is a definite need for a public relations campaign in order to change what Sulayman Nyang refers to as the “global negative Image.”
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Expert commentary and analysis
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE IMAGE OF MUSLIMS AND ISLAM
Academia Laila Al Qatami, Communications Director, ADC (American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee) suggests endowing a chair at a strategic university, such as Harvard or Columbia. “It is a great way to reach a lot of people and entrench yourself in academia and in academic spheres.” The Written Word Supply proper information nationwide with objective materials to libraries; books written by Christians like John Esposito, and by Jewish writers and so on. According to Nihad Awad, CAIR, there is “a lack of good objective books about Islam. Many of the positive or balanced books are not published by the biggest publishing houses. The libraries need sometimes an organization to tell the librarian that the books contribute to the understanding of the leaders and it’s a service. These books are not missionary or preachy type of books.” Another excellent way to reach a large amount of people is to create savvy intelligent websites that are informative, cover serious issues and provide a resource for young and old and to introduce a broader awareness. The Spoken Word
“The media for whatever reason is not interested in the moderate voice. It is important to create a balanced view in the media rather than continuing with the stereotypical portrayal of Muslims.” Salam Al Marayati
Get the right spokespeople; hire the people that have contacts with the media. Consider who is presenting the message. Individual experts and those in academia who are independent are sometimes best to present the message. Speakers who are directly affiliated with a key organization will be, as John Esposito states, “bringing all the baggage of the organization along.” The independent’s voice is just that, not the voice of the organization and may well be better received. It is important to as Salam Al Marayati, Muslim Public Affairs Council says, “bridge the gap” between Muslims who want to talk about civil liberties and Americans who want to talk about national security. Media
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here is a need to invest in Western media. Nihad Awad, CAIR, explains “Newspapers, radio, television, all these venues are shaping the views and attitudes around the world. So it’s very important to have presence. Not to influence, not to control, not to have monopoly, but to be present, to be able to present it. Empowering their brothers and sisters in the world, in the modern community because there are services that are available to Muslims and Arabs.”
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE IMAGE OF MUSLIMS AND ISLAM
Salam Al Marayati, Muslim Public Affairs Council feels “the media for whatever reason is not interested in the moderate voice.” It is important to create a balanced view in the media rather than continuing with the stereotypical portrayal of Muslims. The first thing to do according to Trevor Mostyn, Journalist, Expert of European Media Coverage, is “to always complain about bias coverage…to pick up the receiver and phone … it is a very important point…to telephone television and radio stations and complain about any sort of bias coverage and secondly to write letters to the press every time one feels something is being covered with a bias.”
Muslims are very disunited…they are very bad at lobbying. They feel that it is pointless and they will not achieve anything, Trevor Mostyn, Journalist, expert on European media coverage
In addition to the above, Amir Hussain of California State, feels that getting more Muslims involved on a grass roots level, such as, cameramen and writers could have a great impact. Depicting Muslims in day-to-day types of things will also help to eliminate the stereotypical images of Muslims being portrayed as terrorists. A good example of this came from The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) who launched a nationwide television and radio public service announcement (PSA) campaign, called "I am an American Muslim," designed to help reduce anti-Muslim discrimination and stereotyping. CAIR's 30 and 60-second PSAs feature American Muslims of European, African-American, Hispanic, and Native American heritage. Each person in the spots states how they and their families have served America and stereotyping. CAIR's 30 and 60-second PSAs feature American Muslims of European, African-American, Hispanic, and Native American heritage. Each person in the spots states how they and their families have served America and ends by saying, "I am an American Muslim." Nihad Awad, CAIR’s Executive Director, said the PSAs are a result of growing demand for accurate and objective information about Islam and Muslims in America. 1 John Esposito, Georgetown University, Center for Muslim Christian Understanding, makes the following argument; “People ask me, why don’t more Muslims speak out against terrorism and what went on at 9/11 and what continues to go on. The fact is Muslims do speak out. The fact is that MPAC had a major conference in Long Branch a couple of months ago that I spoke at. The whole thing was on terrorism and yet the next day, I had a woman physician who is a Muslim, assistant professor at a teaching hospital, write me in frustration – she heard me speak. ____________________________________ 1
CAIR's 30 and 60-second, “I am an American Muslim” public service announcement campaign.
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Expert commentary and analysis
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE IMAGE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO OF MUSLIMS AND ISLAM IMPROVE THE IMAGE OF MUSLIMS AND is ISLAM? She said, Why it that the media reports that we don’t speak out, - here, we have a John Esposito, Georgetown major Muslim group, 1,000 people show up University, Center for Musat their convention and we don’t get major lim Christian Understanding, media coverage”. C-Span did run some of makes the following arguit, but they did not get major media ment; “People ask me, why coverage. In fact, even in the California, don’t more Muslims speak Los Angeles papers, they didn’t get quite out against terrorism and the coverage. So you got the other side of what went on at 9/11 and it. In other words, you’ve got the way in what continues to go on. which Islam is often portrayed by equating The fact is Muslims do Islam too often with extremism and violence speak out. The fact is that rather than distinguishing as the President says, “between Islam and Muslim extremists.” But you also have the other side of it which is the extent to which stories are not run or enough stories on the Muslims who are really out there doing what needs to be done.”
Community “Your greatest asset is your American Muslim community”, says Akbar Ahmed, Chairman of Islamic Studies, American University. Mr. Ahmed feels that the Western Muslims can act as a bridge between the West and the Muslim World. “They know the language and they know the people and the culture.” There is a lack of presence in the West of the positive images of Islam. Nihad Awad, CAIR, suggests that supporting institutions and organizations is an important step Western Muslims can take. “After 9/11 there was, and still there is, a great interest among students, researchers, to learn about this religion.” Trevor Mostyn thinks “one of the problems is with the Islamic Arab communities in Britain and I’m sure it is true in America too. Muslims are very disunited…they are very bad at lobbying. They feel that it is pointless and they will not achieve anything…they will become unpopular… there is no excuse.…the Islamic and Arab community are very, very bad at lobbying in the way that other ethnic groups are able to do it. They need to improve and change…they need to behave with aggression. There are these huge marches against the war in Iraq…again…I think the vast majority were whites and British people.”
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
III. RESULTS OF PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS IN THE US AND WESTERN EUROPE The following chapter contains a summary of the results of surveys taken in February, 2005 of the general public in the US, UK and France and in August, 2005 of the Netherlands and Germany. This was an internet based survey of 2420 individuals, with 1010 completed interviews in the US, 351 in the UK and 350 in France, 356 in Netherlands, and 352 in Germany. The data was collected from February 15-28, 2005 in the US, UK and France and from August 29September 8, 2005 in the Netherlands and Germany. The study was conducted using random sampling from a opt-in multi-million person database and was balanced for general population representation. Margin of error is +/- 3% with 95% confidence level.
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Public Opinion Survey in the US and Western Europe
KEY FINDINGS •
For “Muslims who live outside my country”, and “Arab Muslims”, 3-10% more respondents (depending on country) had a unfavorable opinion than for “Muslims in my country”
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32% overall had a somewhat or very unfavorable opinion of Islam, 40% in Netherlands (highest)
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Protestants and Catholics had the highest favorability ratings at approximately 40%
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20% of respondents had a very or mostly favorable opinion of “Muslims who live inside my country”, but 5% less for “Muslims outside my country” and “Arab Muslims”
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Ignorance of and lack of empathy with Islam is widespread
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•
Half of the respondents say they have very little or no knowledge at all of Islam or Arab Muslims, although only 20% of the Netherlands respondents indicated little knowledge
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76% said that “my religion and Islam are very different” or that they “do not know enough to determine if their religion and Islam have a lot in common”
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49% believe that Islam is more likely than other religions to encourage violence
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38% believe that the US is fighting a war on Islam or both Islam and terrorism
Muslims rated the lowest in overall favorability among various religious groups. •
•
27% overall had a very or somewhat unfavorable opinion of “Muslims who live inside my country” •
24% of US respondents-unfavorable opinion
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25% and 28% and 27% of UK, French and German respondents respectively
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Most negative: Netherlands, 33% very or somewhat unfavorable
Among those who had unfavorable opinions of Arab Muslims, the most common open ended, unprompted sentiments included: •
“Arab Muslims are radical/violent/extremists/terrorists”
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“Religious zealots who have twisted their religion”
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“Anti-Semitic and closed minded”
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
KEY FINDINGS
•
•
“Treat women badly”
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“Do not like or trust them”
Among those who had favorable or neutral opinions of Arab Muslims, the most common open ended, unprompted sentiments included: •
“They are people just like everyone else and do not deserve discrimination”
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“Deserve to live how and believe in what they choose”
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“Generally good opinion”
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“A minority cause the problems”
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“Some are good and some are bad-I judge based on the individual”
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On a personal level, two thirds of respondents are comfortable with having a Arab Muslim as a friend, interacting with their family, having them as neighbors.
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Media is influential in shaping Perception of Arab Muslims
•
•
TV documentaries and news are the most influential media in influencing feelings about Arab Muslims, followed by newspapers
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Each of the other media outlets, such as books, magazines, movies, Websites have half the influence of TV
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A quarter of the all respondents read or watch TV regarding Islam and Muslims at least 1 or more times a week, mostly news about the war on terror and in Iraq
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About 37% have very limited exposure to news and information about Islam and Muslims (once every 2 months or more or never in the past year)
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Nearly three quarters of the respondents believe that the media depicts Arab Muslims and Islam accurately only half of the time, not often or never
As important in shaping feelings, is a personal experience with Arab Muslims, their religious beliefs and their education •
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Only a quarter of the US and UK respondents have Arab Muslims friends, colleagues or family members; the German and Dutch respondents slightly more; (versus 59% of the French) and a very small percentage have ever participated in an Islamic activity (such as Ramadan)
Public Opinion Survey in the US and Western Europe
KEY FINDINGS
•
A quarter of the respondents believe that all or most Arab Muslims are anti-American, but only 9% believe that all or most Arab Muslims favor terrorism
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Only 17% believe that all or most Arab Muslims favor modernity and only 6% believe that they are in favor of equal rights for women
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The countries most favorably viewed included: Egypt, Morocco, Turkey and Kuwait. Most disliked were: Iran, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia
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Recommendations on Improving Perception of Arab Muslims and Islam •
Increased education and communication
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More media balance and more positive coverage, not just negatives
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Less religious zealotry by radical Muslims-return to peaceful teachings
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Reduction in terrorism
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Increased interaction, more acceptance of other religions
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Government leaders should restrain their extremists and refuse to condone violent behavior
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Detailed Findings: Attitudes about Religious Groups, Islam and Muslims •
20% of respondents had a very or mostly favorable opinion of “Muslims who live inside my country”
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Enjoyed a 5% higher favorability rating than Muslims outside the country and Arab Muslims
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27% overall had a very or somewhat unfavorable opinion of “Muslims who live inside my country” (versus 30% unfavorable for Muslims outside the country or Arab Muslims (34%)
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Little difference in percentages between respondent countries, except in Netherlands, which has a higher unfavorable percentage and where there was little distinction in unfavorable ratings between Muslims in or out of country or Arab Muslims
Overall Opinion of Muslims who live inside my Country “Now thinking about some specific religious groups... What is your overall opinion of”:
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Public Opinion Survey in the US and Western Europe
Overall Opinion of Muslims who live outside my Country •
15% of respondents had a very or mostly favorable opinion of “Muslims who live outside my country”
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30% overall had a very or somewhat unfavorable opinion
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36% of US respondents-unfavorable opinion
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21% and 28% of UK and French respondents respectively-unfavorable
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29% of Netherlands and German respondents held unfavorable opinions
“Now thinking about some specific religious groups... What is your overall opinion of”:
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Importance of Religion and Opinions of Various Religious Groups •
Religion is much more important in American’s lives (68% say very or somewhat important) than in Europe (range of 27-31% across countries)
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Protestants, Catholics, Jews have the highest favorability ratings at approximately 35-40% of respondents
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The middle tier of favorable ratings include Evangelical Christians, Atheists and the nonreligious. (25-30%)
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Muslims rated the lowest in favorability among various religious groups, at 14-20%
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A higher percentage (by 10-15%) of Americans rated Jews, Evangelical Christians, and Protestants higher than the European respondents. Americans rated atheists and the nonreligious lower than the British and the French. (10-20% fewer).
“Now thinking about some specific religious groups... What is your overall opinion of”:
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Public Opinion Survey in the US and Western Europe
Violence and Religion •
Nearly 60% of all respondents agree with the statement that “some religions are more likely than others to encourage violence.”
•
About 25% believe that “religions are all about the same in this regard.”
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The French respondents were unique among respondent countries in that an equal percentage felt that “some religions are more likely than others to encourage violence” and that “religions are all about the same in this regard.”
•
46% overall believe that the Islam religion is more likely than others to encourage violence. An even greater percentage of Germans and Dutch respondents agreed. (55%). A smaller percentage of the French agreed
“Tell me whether the FIRST statement or the SECOND statement comes closer to your own views even if neither is exactly right.”
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Knowledge of Islam and its Commonality with other Religions •
Just over half of the respondents across all countries said that they have a great deal or some knowledge of Islam. The other half said that they know very little or nothing at all. Netherlands and German respondents indicated that they had more knowledge about Islam than the other country groups.
•
22% said that their religion and Islam have a lot in common.
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US and UK respondents were much less likely to think that their religion and Islam have a lot in common than those in The Netherlands, Germany and France.
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Twice as many said that their religion and Islam are very different.
•
Respondents knowledge of Arab Muslims, was also limited, with half saying that they had very little or no knowledge at all of Arab Muslims. Dutch respondents indicated a slightly higher knowledge level as a group.
“How much would you say you know about the Muslim religion (Islam) and its practices?”
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Public Opinion Survey in the US and Western Europe
Knowledge of Islam and its Commonality with other Religions
“Do you think that the Muslim religion (Islam) and your own religion have a lot in common?”
General Opinion of Islam •
16% of all respondents had a very or somewhat favorable opinion of Islam, a consistent proportion across all three countries.
•
However, 32% had a very or somewhat unfavorable opinion of Islam.
•
A higher percentage of Netherlands and US respondents had an unfavorable opinion than in Germany, UK and France.
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
War on Terrorism or Islam? •
59% of American respondents feels that the US is fighting a war on terrorism versus only 5% who believe that it is a war against Islam.
•
A smaller percentage of European respondents (28-46%) believe that the US is fighting a war on terror. 10% believe that it is a war on Islam.
“Do you feel that the United States is fighting a war on terrorism or a war against Islam (the religion followed by Muslims)”?
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Public Opinion Survey in the US and Western Europe
ATTITUDES ABOUT ARABS AND MUSLIMS Knowledge of Arabs (Middle Eastern) •
47% of all respondents have a great deal or some knowledge of Arabs
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42% said they knew very little or nothing at all about Arabs
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Dutch respondents, percentage-wise, had a higher level of knowledge than those in other countries
“How much would you say you know about Arabs (Middle Eastern, Arabic speaking descent) and their culture?”
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Read publications, Viewed Websites, or Watched TV Regarding Muslims or Islam •
A quarter of the all respondents read or watch TV regarding Islam and Muslims at least 1 or more times a week, mostly news about the war on terror and in Iraq
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Another quarter of all respondents read or watch Islam-related content 1-2 times a month
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37% have very limited exposure to news and information about Islam and Muslims (once every 2 months or more or never in the past year)
•
Of all the respondent countries, German respondents were the most exposed to Islam and Muslim content and French respondents were the least exposed.
Accuracy of Media’s Depiction of Arab Muslims and Islam •
Nearly three quarters of the respondents believe that the media depicts Arab Muslims and Islam accurately only half of the time, not often or never.
“How often does the media accurately depict Islam and Muslims?”
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Public Opinion Survey in the US and Western Europe
Personal Influences on Feelings about Arab Muslims •
There are a variety of equally important influences on feelings about Arab Muslims including: •
Personal experience
•
What they have seen on TV or read in the newspaper
•
Religious beliefs
•
Education
•
Views of friends (lesser influence)
“Rate the following influences on how they have affected your feelings about Arab Muslims?“ (Use a scale of 1-5 with 1 being very strong influence and 5 being no influence).”
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Exposure to Islam and Arab Muslims •
French respondents were twice as likely (59%) to have Arab friends, colleagues or family members as were US (24%) or UK (28%) respondents.
•
38% of Germany and Netherlands respondents have Arab friends, colleagues or family members.
•
A very small percentage (3-10%) in any country have participated in an Islamic activity (such as Ramadan) or community activities like fund-raising, organized by Arab Muslims
•
60% of the US and UK respondents had no personal experience with Arab Muslims in the past 2 years, twice the percentage as the French
“In the past 2 years, what exposure, if any, have you had to Islam and Arab Muslims (Middle Eastern descent-followers of Islam)? (Select all that apply)”
Page 52
Public Opinion Survey in the US and Western Europe
Personal Experience with Arab Muslims •
While as many as one third of Americans and British respondents have not had a personal experience with an Arab Muslim, about a quarter of them have had very or somewhat positive experiences overall (43% for France, 39% and 36% for Germany and Netherlands, respectively.
•
Small percentage (13%) have had a very or somewhat negative experience.
DETAILED FINDINGS: WESTERN PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF ARABS MUSLIM BELIEFS AND VALUES What do most Arab Muslims Believe? •
Overall, a quarter of the respondents believe that all or most Arab Muslims are antiAmerican. Only 20% of Americans believe that, but a greater percentage of Europeans believe that most Arab Muslims are anti-American.
•
18% of the respondents believe that all or most Arab Muslims are in favor of modern values and lifestyles. A greater percentage of French respondents (28%) believe that.
•
Only 7% of the respondents overall believe that all or most Arab Muslims are in favor of equal rights for women.
•
Only 9% of the respondents believe that all or most Arab Muslims are in favor of terrorists.
•
A quarter of the respondents believe that “ just a few” are pro-terrorist.
Page 53
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Perceptions of Arab Muslims in their own Country
•
Relative to Arab Muslims in their own country, just over half of all respondents believe that most Arab Muslims disagree with terrorist and militant methods.
•
Half of the American respondents believe that Arab Muslims share common beliefs and values with other citizens in the US and fit in well with their community, whereas a smaller percentage (10-20% less depending on the country) of the European respondents felt that way.
•
Only 25% of respondents felt that Arab Muslims in their country support equal rights for women. German respondents had the lowest percentage (14%) of any country regarding Arab Muslim support for equal rights for women.
Page 54
Public Opinion Survey in the US and Western Europe
Terms Associated with Islam and Arab Muslims
•
The terms most associated with Islam and Arab Muslims are: “mosques”, “a veiled women”, “devote observers of their faith” (67-78% of respondents indicating association)
•
A second tier of terms included: “terrorists”, “imam or holy man”, “bearded man with turban/ robe”, “oil” (39-51% of respondents indicating association)
•
The least associated groups of terms included: “pro-American”, “pro-democracy”, “prowomen”, “pro-modernity”.
Page 55
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Perceptions of Middle Eastern Counties and Interest in Visiting
•
Countries most favorable viewed by respondents include (in order of favorability): Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Dubai, Kuwait
•
French respondents had a more favorable view overall than the US and UK respondents of Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, and Lebanon
•
British respondents liked Dubai, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia more than the Americans or French did
•
Americans overall had a more favorable view of Afghanistan than the French or British did
•
Countries viewed most unfavorably included (in order of most unfavorably viewed): Iran, Libya, Syria, and Yemen
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Public Opinion Survey in the US and Western Europe
Countries Desired to Visit
•
Respondents were given a list of Islamic countries and asked which ones that they would like to visit. Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Malaysia, Dubai and Tunisia received the most mentions for places desired to visit. The primary reasons for visiting included (in order of # of mentions):
•
Architecture/historical/archeological sites
•
History/ancient history
•
Culture/people
•
Sounds good/great/interesting
•
Scenery/beautiful place
•
Have been there before/have family/friends there
•
Sightseeing
Page 57
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
How to improve the perception of Arab Muslims
Respondents were asked “How to improve the perception of Arab Muslims in your country” and these open ended, unaided answers were coded for commonality. Most mentioned responses included: •
Increased education/communication
•
Increased interaction/more accepting of other religions/the rest of the world
•
Media should balance/focus more on the positives/not just the negatives
•
Treat everyone as equal/less prejudice based on ethnicity/religion
•
Less religious zealotry/go back to peaceful teachings of religion
•
Reduction in violence/anger/terrorism
•
Government/leaders should restrain their extremists/refuse to condone violent behavior
Page 58
Secondary Public Opinion Polls
IV. SECONDARY PUBLIC OPINION POLLS Secondary Third Party Survey Research A Summary of National Polls
Communique Partners ran an extensive 3 month research investigation of creditable studies and national polls that have been conducted between 2002 and 2005. We have included these studies in the following summaries which were conducted by the following research firms: •
The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
•
USA Today
•
Cornell
•
Gallup polls
•
Zogby International
•
CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations)
•
The Muslim Association of Brittan
These research firms bear no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations of the data presented here.
Page 59
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
PEW RESEACH CENTER Plurality Sees Islam as More Likely to Encourage Violence VIEWS OF ISLAM REMAIN SHARPLY DIVIDED The US nationwide telephone survey of 2,009 adults, 18 years of age or older, conducted July 2004 by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
D
espite the U.S. war in Iraq and the continuing threat of terrorism at home, public attitudes toward Islam have remained stable over the past year. Roughly four-in-ten Americans (39%) say they have a favorable impression of Islam, while about as many (37%) say they have an unfavorable view. The balance of opinion has not changed substantially in the past year (40% favorable in July 2003). •
A plurality of Americans (46%) believes that Islam is more likely than other religions to encourage violence among its believers, while 37% say Islam does not encourage violence more than other religions. This measure also is substantially unchanged from last year, when 44% felt Islam was more likely to encourage violence. But the 2003 figure represented a substantial increase over the 25% who expressed this view in March 2002.
•
Also finds a small decrease over the past year in perceptions of antiAmericanism among Muslims around the world. A slim 44% plurality believes that “just a few” or “some” Muslims are anti-American. That compares with 42% who say that “about half” (19%), “most,” or “almost all” (23%) Muslims around the world are anti-American. In July 2003, 49% said about half or more Muslims worldwide were anti-American. In March 2002, 36% expressed that view.
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Secondary Public Opinion Polls
Plurality Sees Islam as More Likely to Encourage Violence / VIEWS OF ISLAM REMAIN SHARPLY DIVIDED
A
mong religious groups, seculars by twoto-one express a favorable opinion of Islam (50%-25%). A plurality of white Catholics also has a positive impression of Islam (43% fav/34% unfav). But white evangelical Protestants, on balance, have a negative opinion of Islam (46% unfav/29% fav). And more than half of white evangelicals who attend church at least once a week have an unfavorable impression of Islam.
Gaps Persist in Views of Islam •
There continue to be significant demographic and political differences in public opinion toward Islam. On balance, younger Americans, those under age 30, hold a more favorable view of Islam; older age groups are divided, with a relatively large minority of those ages 65 and older expressing no opinion (39%).
•
Among religious groups, seculars by two-tone express a favorable opinion of Islam (50%-25%). A plurality of white Catholics also has a positive impression of Islam (43% fav/34% unfav). But white evangelical Protestants, on balance, have a negative opinion of Islam (46% unfav/29% fav). And more than half of white evangelicals who attend church at least once a week have an unfavorable impression of Islam.
For a full report of this study, go to: http://pewforum.org/publications/surveys/islam.pdf
Page 61
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
PEW RESEACH CENTER Religion and Politics: Contention and Consensus Growing Number Says Islam Encourages Violence Among Followers Results for the US survey are based on telephone interviews conducted under the direction of Princeton Survey Research Associates among a nationwide sample of 2,002 adults, 18 years of age or older, during the period June 24 - July 8, 2003
Y
et growing views of Islam as a religion that encourages violence have not resulted in a significant change in American views of Muslims, Muslim-Americans, or even of Islam in general. A narrow majority of the public (51%) has a favorable view of Muslim-Americans, and only 24% have an unfavorable view (25% have no opinion). This is about the same rating as last year (54% favorable), but down from the 59% rating in a November 2001 poll, just a few months after 9/11.
•
Unfavorable ratings for Muslim-Americans have inched upward over this same time period from 17% soon after the attacks to 24% today. But Muslim-Americans remain slightly better regarded now than they were before 9/11; in March 2001, 45% had a favorable opinion of Muslim-Americans.
•
Opinions are slightly less favorable of Muslims who are not identified as Americans: 47% favorable, 31% unfavorable. Neither measure has changed significantly since last year. Ratings of the Islamic faith remain lower than ratings for Muslims. In spite of the growing sense that Islam is a religion that encourages violence, however, general perceptions of Islam have not changed. Four-in-ten have a favorable impression of the religion, while 34% have an unfavorable opinion (26% have no opinion), virtually unchanged from 15 months ago.
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Secondary Public Opinion Polls
Religion and Politics: Contention and Consensus Growing Number Says Islam Encourages Violence Among Followers
A
s has been true in previous years, Muslims are less popular than people of other religious faiths but more popular than atheists. Muslim-Americans and Muslims are seen less favorably than Jews (72% favorable), Protestants (70%), and Catholics (69%), and slightly below evangelical Christians (58% favorable, 18% unfavorable). "People who aren't religious" receive favorable ratings similar to Muslims (50%), but the public has a more unfavorable view of the non-religious (33% unfavorable). Majorities of the public continue to give atheists an unfavorable rating: 52%, compared with 34% favorable. Views of each of these groups have changed very little since March 2002.
•
Somewhat fewer people now than last year say that Islam and their own religion have a lot in common: 22% this year, compared with 27% in March 2002 and 31% in November of 2001. Catholics have changed the most on this measure, with 14% fewer saying their religion has a lot in common with Islam. Evangelicals and mainline Protestants have changed very little. Overall, far more among the college educated than the less educated see commonality between Islam and their religion, and the views of the college educated have changed very little since last year.
For a full report of this study, go to: http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=189
Page 63
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
PEW RESEACH CENTER Americans Struggle with Religion's Role at Home and Abroad Results for the survey are based on US telephone interviews conducted under the direction of Princeton Survey Research Associates among a nationwide sample of 2,002 adults, 18 years of age or older, during the period February 25 - March 10, 2002
Young Most Aware of Islam
F
ew Americans feel they know a lot about the Muslim religion. Roughly two-thirds of Americans (65%) say they know little or nothing about Islam and its practices, while just 5% say they know a great deal about the religion. This is virtually identical to how Americans felt in mid-November 2001. While just 34% say they know a great deal or some about Islam, nearly half (47%) knew that Muslims use the term "Allah" to refer to God and nearly as many (43%) know that the Islamic equivalent to the Bible is the "Koran."
•
Young people tend to be more knowledgeable about Islam than their elders. Among those under age 30, 56% can identify Allah as the correct answer, compared with 35% of those ages 65 and older. Overall, more than half of seniors (56%) could answer neither question correctly, compared with just 37% of those under age 30.
Knowledgeable, Still Wary •
Americans who are familiar with basic aspects of the Muslim faith those who can correctly identify the Koran and Allah rate Muslims and Islam far more favorably than those who know little or nothing about Islam. And people who are familiar with Islam are almost three times as likely as those who know little or nothing (41% vs. 15%) to think the Muslim faith has a lot in common with their own religion. Yet knowledge of Islam does not necessarily lead people to believe there is less anti-American hostility among Muslims or that Islam is no more violent than other religions.
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Secondary Public Opinion Polls
Americans Struggle with Religion's Role at Home and Abroad
A
mericans who know rudimentary facts about Islam are, if anything, more likely to see antiAmerican sentiment among half or more Muslims around the world. And as to whether some religions or Islam are more likely to encourage violence among believers, familiarity with the religion has no effect on people's evaluations. Religion in America In the aftermath of Sept. 11, Americans viewed the country in a new light. Not only did broad measures of patriotism, confidence in government, and concern about the safety of friends and family rise, but the vast majority saw religion playing a significantly greater role in American life. In a midNovember Pew Research Center/Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life poll, fully 78% said the influence of religion on American life was increasing, a figure that decreased only slightly (to 71%) in a December Gallup poll.
But this perception was relatively short-lived, and now, six months after the attacks, the public's view of religion's influence on American life has returned to pre-Sept. 11 levels. Today, just 37% see the influence of religion increasing in America, while 52% say it is in decline. This finding mirrors results from similar Pew Research Center polls in recent years, including one in the spring of 2001, which was conducted with the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
For a full report of this study, go to: http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=387
Page 65
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
PEW RESEACH CENTER Views of a Changing World 2003 War With Iraq Further Divides Global Publics The Pew Global Attitudes Project surveyed - 16,000 people in 20 countries and the Palestinian Authority in May, 2003 and more than 38,000 people in 44 nations in 2002 (it covers attitudes on globalization, democratization and the role of Islam in governance and society). The exact mythology of each country is referenced at the end of the full report.
Role of Islam in Political Life
M
ajority of Muslim in nine nations favor a large role for Islam in the political life of their countries. This view is common both in countries where Muslims are the overwhelming majority of the population (Pakistan, Jordan, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Mali) as well as where Muslims make up a minority (Uganda, Ivory Coast and Nigeria). In four other nations (Lebanon, Turkey, Senegal, and Uzbekistan), opinion is split over whether Islam’s role in political life should be large or small. Attitudes on Islam’s proper position in political life can be understood in the context of how many people perceive its current role. For example, most Indonesian Muslims are satisfied with what they see as a high level of Islamic influence in politics. Fully 86% say Islam plays a very or fairly large role in the political life of their country, and 82% think it should play a substantial role. In Pakistan, Uganda, Jordan, and Bangladesh many Muslims want to see Islam play a greater role than they think it currently does.
Page 66
Secondary Public Opinion Polls
Views of a Changing World 2003 War With Iraq Further Divides Global Publics
Democracy Favored Over Strong Leader
M
uslim publics clearly favor democratic government over a strong autocratic leader. In general, there is greater support over democratic government in the Muslim countries surveyed than there is in much of Eastern Europe. The clear exceptions are Jordan, and Uzbekistan, two countries with very strong leaders, and Nigeria. In that regard, the preference of Muslims in Uzbekistan for a strong leader fit the pattern of publics in the former Soviet Union. Nearly six-in-ten Muslim respondents in Uzbekistan (58%) favor a strong leader of a democratic government, which is consistent with results in Russia and Ukraine, where two-thirds believe their nation should rely on a leader with a strong hand to solve their nation’s problems. In Jordan, a monarchy limited parliament, Muslims are divided, with half favoring a strong leader.
For a full report of this study, go to: http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=185
Page 67
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Overall Opinion of Arab Muslims •
Overall opinion of Arab Muslims is very similar to opinion about Muslims in general
•
15% of respondents had a very or mostly favorable overall opinion of “Arab Muslims (Middle Easter descent)”
•
33% overall had a very or somewhat unfavorable opinion
•
Fairly consistent percentages across countries, except in UK, where only 26% had unfavorable opinions
Interaction Comfort Level with Arab Muslims •
About two thirds of all respondents are very or somewhat comfortable in personal dealings with Arab Muslims, including friendship, family and workplace interactions or having them as neighbors
•
A somewhat smaller percentage feel comfortable having a family member marry an Arab Muslim (46%)
•
A higher percentage (10-15% higher) of French respondents are comfortable, relative to those in the US, UK and Netherlands. A lower percentage of Germany respondents (515%) are comfortable with Arab Muslims in these various interactions.
“Indicate your comfort level with the following situations interacting with Arab Muslims”:
Page 68
Public Opinion Survey in the US and Western Europe
The perceived difference between Arab Muslims and non-Arab Muslims •
60% of respondents didn’t know the difference or indicated that there is no difference
•
About 15% indicated that Arab Muslims are more radical, angry and violent, as well as being radical zealots who have twisted their religion
•
About 17% indicated that the differences include religion, geographic location and nationality, and cultures
DETAILED FINDINGS: INFLUENCES ON PERCEPTION, ROLE OF THE MEDIA Media Influences on feelings about Arab Muslims
•
TV documentaries and news are the most influential media, followed by newspapers
•
Each of the other media outlets, such as books, magazines, movies, Websites have half the influence of TV
“Rate the following influences on how they have affected your feelings about Arab Muslims (followers of Islam)? (Use a scale of 1-5 with 1 being very strong influence and 5 being no influence)”
Page 69
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
PEW RESEACH CENTER A Year After Iraq War Mistrust of America in Europe Ever Higher, Muslim Anger Persists Surveys for the Pew Global Attitudes Project were conducted February 19-March 3, 2004 in nine nations under the direction of Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Telephone interviews were conducted among a nationwide, representative sample of 1,000 adults, 18 years of age or older, in the United States, 500 in Great Britain, 504 in France, and 500 in Germany. Face-to-face interviews were conducted among a nation-wide representative sample of 1,000 adults in Jordan, 1,002 in Russia, and 1,017 in Turkey. The sample in Morocco (N=1,000, ages 18-59) was exclusively urban, and the Pakistani sample (N=1,242) was predominantly urban. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in both nations.
U.S. Image Still Poor
A
merica's image abroad remains negative in most nations, though it has improved somewhat in Russia, Turkey, and Pakistan. Vast majorities in predominantly Muslim countries continue to hold unfavorable opinions of the U.S, though the intensity of anti-American views has moderated. Majorities in the Muslim nations surveyed hold negative views of the United States, though opinion has softened. In all four of these nations, fewer respondents hold very unfavorable opinions of the U.S. now than did so last year. For example, 45% in Turkey now hold a very unfavorable opinion of the U.S., down from 68% last May. There have been comparable declines in intense dislike of the U.S. in Pakistan and Jordan. Strong dislike of the U.S. moderated in Morocco as well, though not as much as in the other Muslim nations surveyed. An important factor in world opinion about America is the perception that the U.S. acts internationally without taking account of the interests of other nations. Large majorities in every nation surveyed (except the U.S.) believe that America pays little or no attention to their country's interests in making its foreign policy decisions. This opinion is most prevalent in France (84%), Turkey (79%) and Jordan (77%), but even in Great Britain 61% say the U.S. pays little or no attention to British interests.
Page 70
Secondary Public Opinion Polls
A Year After Iraq War
M
ideast Sympathies The nine countries surveyed fall into three main groups when it comes to opinion about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. In the United States, there is significantly more sympathy for Israel than for the Palestinians – by a margin of roughly four-to-one (46% vs. 12%). This has been the case fairly consistently over the past decade. In Russia, Germany, Great Britain and France, public opinion is much more divided, with a large proportion sympathizing with neither side. In Russia, 23% side with Israel, 14% with the Palestinians and a plurality of 34% say they sympathize with neither side. Sympathy for the Palestinian position has declined somewhat among the French. Two years ago, 36% sided with the Palestinians in the conflict. Today 28% do, while support for Israel has remained unchanged. German and British attitudes on the conflict have remained largely unchanged from two years ago. In the predominantly Muslim nations surveyed, people side with the Palestinians over Israel by lop-sided margins. In Pakistan, Jordan and Morocco, virtually no one sides with Israel. Opinion in Turkey is somewhat less uniform, though people sympathize with the Palestinians by about ten-to-one (63%-6%); 16% of Turks say they sympathize with neither side in the conflict.
For a full report of this study, go to: http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=795
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
USA TODAY Great divide splits U.S., Islamic cultures, poll finds USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll of 863 adults conducted Friday-Sunday – updated 03/04/2002 . The 2002 Gallup Poll of the Islamic World. Number sampled in each country: Pakistan 2,043; Iran 1,501; Indonesia 1,050; Turkey 1,019; Lebanon 1,010; Morocco 1,000; Kuwait 790; Jordan 757; Saudi Arabia 754.
I
n the USA TODAY Poll conducted Friday-Sunday in early 2002, four in five Americans said the antipathy stems from misinformation about U.S. policies toward Muslim countries and Americans' freedoms, moral standards and family values. •
Although most Americans view their own country as trustworthy, friendly, caring about poorer nations and respectful of Islamic values, huge majorities in Muslim countries take the opposite view.
•
And though most Americans see U.S. policy on Israel-Palestine relations as fair, majorities in Muslim nations say it's tipped too heavily toward Israel.
Among the findings: When do you think a better understand- • Nine in 10 Americans say groups of Arabs carried ing between Western countries and out the attacks on the World Trade Center and Muslim countries will occur? Very soon
Never
USA
3%
19%
Iran
10%
21%
Jordan
6%
47%
Kuwait
5%
22%
Lebanon
5%
40%
Pakistan
6%
14%
Saudi Arabia
11%
28%
Turkey
5%
15%
Page 72
Pentagon. Solid majorities in Islamic nations don't believe that.
• More than six in 10 Americans say U.S. military action in Afghanistan is totally justified, compared with fewer than one in 10 in most Muslim countries. • Only one in four Americans has a favorable opinion of Muslim countries. That's roughly the same percentage of the Islamic countries' residents who look favorably on the United States. •
Two in three Americans say Muslim countries would be better off if they adopted U.S. and Western values. Fewer than one in three residents of most Muslim countries agree.
Secondary Public Opinion Polls
Great divide splits U.S., Islamic cultures, poll finds
A
bout the only area of agreement: broad pessimism about the chances for better understanding between Western and Muslim cultures. Even there, however, Arab Islamic nations are more pessimistic than non-Arab Islamic nations. James Zogby of the Arab American Institute calls these contrasts "gaps in perception and gaps in compassion" that result from the two groups looking at each other through "distorted prisms." "We feel our pain and don't feel theirs. They feel their own pain and don't feel ours," he says. However, more than three of four Americans say Muslim views of American culture and policies are shaped by misinformation being disseminated by their governments and their media. Do you think these statements apply to the United States? Respondents who said "yes."
Trustworthy
Friendly
Provoked easily
Cares about poor nations
USA
82%
92%
25%
78%
Iran
2%
1%
55%
10%
Jordan
5%
9%
57%
14%
Kuwait
7%
14%
55%
15%
Pakistan
1%
2%
59%
20%
Lebanon
5%
5%
62%
22%
Saudi Arabia
3%
3%
43%
15%
17%
13%
20%
18%
Turkey
For a full report of this study, go to: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2002/03/05/poll.htm
Page 73
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
CORNELL UNIVERSITY MSRG Special Report: Restrictions on Civil Liberties, Views of Islam, & Muslim Americans December 2004 This report is a summary of the key findings from the 2004 national omnibus survey of public opinion and media use, conducted by the Communication 282 Industry Research Methods class in the Department of Communication located at Cornell University. The Communication Omnibus Survey is an annual survey of citizens within the continental United States who are at least 18 years of age and eligible to vote.
I
n November, 2004 37% of respondents believe a terrorist attack within the next 12 months is likely, compared to 90% in November 2002.
•
Twice as many respondents who pay a high level of attention to TV news (18%) feel personally in danger from a terrorist attack, as compared to respondents who pay a low level of attention to TV news (9%).
•
Nearly half (47%) of respondents support greater power for the government to monitor Internet activities, while nearly two-thirds (63%) agree that the government should be able to detain indefinitely suspected terrorists.
•
Christians with a high level of religiosity are almost twice as likely to agree that the government should have more power to monitor Internet activities (61%), that the government should outlaw some un-American actions (43%), and that the media should not report criticisms of the government in times of crisis (44%), when compared to respondents with a lower level of religiosity.
•
One-quarter (27%) of respondents believe that Islamic values are similar to Christian values.
•
Nearly half (47%) of respondents believe that Islam is more likely to encourage violence compared to other religions. That percentage rises to sixty-five percent among highly religious respondents.
Page 74
Respondents who pay a high level of attention to television news about national politics and the War on Terror are more likely (43% vs. 31%) to believe that a terrorist attack will occur in the next 12 months than those who pay low attention to television news. Similarly, viewers who report high or moderate attention to television news are twice as likely to feel personally in danger from a terrorist attack.
Likelihood & Danger of Terrorist Attack by Level of Attention to TV News (% Agree)
Secondary Public Opinion Polls
MSRG Special Report: Restrictions on Civil Liberties, Views of Islam, & Muslim Americans December 2004
N •
early half (44%) of all respondents agree that at least one form of restriction should be placed on Muslim American civil liberties.
Forty-two percent of highly religious respondents believe that Muslim Americans should register their whereabouts with the federal government.
Two basic questions regarding Islam, a) whether the respondent knew what name Muslims use to refer to God (Allah), and b) whether the respondent knew the name of the Islamic equivalent to the Bible (Koran).
American Knowledge About Islam: Number of Questions Answered Correctly
For a full report of this study, go to: http://www.comm.cornell.edu/msrg/report1a.pdf
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The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
GALLOP POLLS Survey finds American distrust of Muslim world US telephone survey among a nationally representative sample of 863 adults, 18 years of age or older, conducted March 2002 by the Gallup for Cable News Network and USA Today.
T
he poll of 863 adults conducted March 2002 comes in the wake of a similar survey of nine Muslim nations that found widespread disapproval of the United States (the two polls are virtual mirrors in their results). About one quarter of Americans surveyed have a favorable view of Muslim nations and more than two-thirds believe those countries would be better off if they adopted Western values, according to a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll. •
Most Americans surveyed said they believe Muslims don't respect Western values, and residents of such countries said the United States does not respect Islamic culture.
•
In this latest poll, conducted March 1-3, just under one-third of Americans surveyed said they believe all or most people in Muslim countries admire Osama bin Laden, and one-third said they believe Islam promotes more violence than other religions worldwide.
•
Seventy-one percent of those surveyed said they believe people in Muslim countries think the United States is at war with the Muslim world; only 34 percent of these Americans said they believe that is the case.
•
Of those surveyed, 24 percent had favorable opinions of Muslim nations; 41 percent had negative opinions.
•
When asked what they believe people in Muslim countries think of the United States, 82 percent of the Americans surveyed thought Muslim's opinions would be unfavorable, compared with 9 percent who thought their opinions would be favorable.
•
When asked why they thought those opinions were unfavorable, 78 percent blamed misinformation while 11 percent blamed U.S. actions.
•
Twenty-four percent said Muslims' opinions did not matter much to them, and 23 percent said they had no interest at all in Muslims' opinions.
•
Forty-one percent of those surveyed said they knew a moderate amount about Muslim countries, while 56 percent said they knew little or nothing at all.
•
The study found that 77 percent of respondents believed the U.S. military action in Afghanistan was morally justified; only 12 percent found it unjustified.
For a full report of this study, go to: http://archives.cnn.com/2002/US/03/04/u.s.muslim.poll/ Page 76
Secondary Public Opinion Polls
ZOGBY INTERNATIONAL American Muslim Poll 2004 MUSLIMS IN THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SQUARE: Shifting Political Winds & Fallout from 9/11, Afghanistan, and Iraq Zogby International conducted interviews of 1,846 persons, 18 years and old, nationwide who identify themselves as Muslim. From Thursday, August 5 to Wednesday, September 15, 2004, phone interviews were conducted.
A
merican Muslims are at a political and social crossroads at the end of 2004. In a few short years, they have undergone massive political shifts, and have become a relevant part of the political landscape. If one looks at American Muslims ca. 2000, and then ca. 2004, without an understanding of the events that have occurred in that four-year span, such a sea change has occurred for this group that any political observer would be stunned. Muslims on U.S. Foreign Policy in the Mideast If you had to choose ONE of the following ways to wage the war against terrorism, which would you choose? •
Respondents overwhelmingly say they would fight the war on terror by changing U.S. policy in the Mideast (76%). No other answer gained more than 2%, and most were less than 1%.
Changing America’s Middle East policy 76% Using U.S. Military Covert/Special Forces 2% Use of strategic nuclear weapons 1% Attacking Iran 1%
Contracting with mercenaries 1% U.S. Air Force bombing 1% Biological warfare 1% None of the above/Other 11%
Do you agree or disagree that…? Muslims on U.S. Foreign Policy in the Mideast
•
There is widespread support for the U.S. backing a Palestinian state, with eight-in-nine (87%) agreeing with that premise.
•
Muslims also overwhelmingly support the notion that the U.S. must deal with social, economic and political inequalities around the world to defeat terrorism (87%), though 7% disagree. Page 77
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
American Muslim Poll 2004 / MUSLIMS IN THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SQUARE: Shifting Political Winds & Fallout from 9/11, Afghanistan, and Iraq
•
A reduction in U.S. support for Israel is supported by four-in-five American Muslims (80%).
•
Two-thirds (66%) of American Muslims agree that the U.S. should reduce its support of undemocratic regimes in the Muslim world.
The Portrayal of Muslims On-Screen Which of the following best describes how you get most of your information about international affairs or foreign policy? •
More than half (53%) of Muslims turn to television for their international affairs and foreign policy news. Of the remainder, one-in-six (17%) turn to the internet, and one-ineight (13%) get their news from a newspaper.
Television 53% Online 17% Newspaper 13% Radio 5%
Family and friends 2% Books 1% Magazines 1% School --
Do you regularly watch any media targeted towards specific ethnic groups? •
A quarter (25%) of Muslims watch media targeted to ethnic groups, which three quarters (74%) do not.
Do you think the mainstream American media… Hollywood… is fair in its portrayal of Muslims and Islam? The Portrayal of Muslims On-Screen •
American Muslims overwhelmingly say both mainstream American media and Hollywood are not fair in their portrayal of Muslims.
For a full report of this study, go to: http://www.projectmaps.com/AMP2004report.pdf
Page 78
Secondary Public Opinion Polls
CAIR (COUNCIL OF AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS) Islam and Muslims: A Poll of American Public Opinion Survey results were based on 1000 telephone interviews conducted by California-based Genesis Research Associates between June 23 and July 2, 2004. Interviewers spoke with a gender-balanced random sample of respondents across the continental United States.
Top Findings: •
Negative images of Muslims were 16 times more prevalent than positive images
•
About 1 in 4 Americans believes anti-Muslim canards Muslims teach their children to hate Muslims value life less than other people
•
Those with the most negative attitudes tend to be: Male White Less educated (HS or less) Politically conservative Republican Party members Living in the Southern region
•
Knowledge of Islam is low but the presence of Muslim friends & colleagues drives enlightened attitudes When asked what comes to mind when they hear “Muslim,” 32% made negative comments; only 2% had a positive response.
Page 79
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Islam and Muslims: A Poll of American Public Opinion
One in seven Americans agree with 4 or 5 of the tested anti-Muslim statements
As compared to others, those who hold the most negative attitudes tend to be less educated, white, and male
For a full report of this study, go to: http://www.cair-net.org/downloads/pollresults.pdf
Page 80
Secondary Public Opinion Polls
THE MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF BRITAIN Survey Into Attitudes Towards Islam In one of the most telling and elaborate surveys conducted in June 2002, the Islamic Society of Britain (ISB)commissioned ‘Attitudes Towards British Muslims’ for the Islamic Awareness Week, which was conducted by YouGov offers a telling reflection of the state of Muslims in Britain as well as interrelations between British Muslims and non-Muslims on various levels.
T
he Muslim Association of Britain finds many aspects of the survey encouraging and uplifting, about 84% believed that it was possible for British Muslims and people of other faiths to live peacefully together at close quarters. 69% agreed that Islam is mainly a peaceful religion and that terrorists comprise only a tiny minority thereof, there are numerous aspects which are disappointing and call for urgent attention and precise action. High amongst the figures which Muslims ought to consider seriously is that 64% admitted to not knowing much about Islam and a staggering 82% stated that members of Britain’s Muslim minority often keep too much to themselves, when they should be trying to mix in more with non-Muslims. Further, almost two thirds believed that Britain’s Muslim community does little or nothing to promote tolerance among people of different faiths. Such issues require the close attention of the Muslim community and action to bring about a more positive response in the foreseeable future. However, most alarming amongst the results is that no less than 84% of Britain’s non-Muslims have tended to be more suspicious of Britain’s Muslims since 11 September last year and that one out of every six say that they would be disappointed or angry if a Muslim family happened to move in next door. The role of the Media: The survey showed that no less than 66% rely on the TV and newspapers for their information about Britain’s Muslim community. It is a great source of anxiety and concern that our Media have continued to play such a pivotal role in introducing an image of Islam and Muslims, which is largely unbalanced if not completely and utterly false. The Muslim Association of Britain as well as numerous other Islamic organizations have long voiced their concerns as to the manner, format and content of coverage and airtime offered to issues relating to Islam and Muslims, whether in Britain or internationally. The role and performance of the media in the aftermath of the 11th of September is a clear indication of the reasons behind much of the skepticism, anxiety and mistrust which remains present between British Muslims and non-Muslims and which greatly hinders efforts to build bridges and enhance understanding and mutual appreciation. Note: This is a full copy of the report. Page 81
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
V. MEDIA SCAN ANALYSIS Introduction and Methodology
T
he purpose of the following search tables and graphics is to provide a snapshot of the current (as of the late February, 2005) “Islam-related” articles and the context in which
Islam was written about. To provide an accurate view across multiple medias available through the internet, we chose to focus on the major search engines (Google, Yahoo!, MSN, Ask Jeeves), online magazines (Time, The Economist), and online newspapers (New York Times, The Washington Post). The initial phase of the searching involved defining the terms that were to be used in the search. With “Islam” being the main topic term, four additional sub-topics were defined that would provide for a broad search coverage. Within each of these sub-topics, additional terms were defined that were used to pinpoint more specific topics within Islam and there appearance in available online literature. The search engine part of the search was conducted by inputting the defined terms into the available search forms of the various engines. The available articles that contained the terms searched, were then recorded. The process of using the search engines was identical to what any person would do if he/she were searching for articles with specific criteria and thus data provided in this section, is an accurate depiction of what would be viewed by any person searching for articles having to do with “Islam” and a certain topic. The four search engines chosen reflect the top search engines available in terms of total web pages scanned and users. For the online magazine search, the search included using the defined term-sets and searching all articles available between January 1999* and January 2005*. The matches were then reviewed for accuracy and the total number recorded for that term-set. A similar method was taken for the online newspaper search except for the article search included articles printed within the past 2 years* Once the data was collected, an average was taken in each of the three media types looked at. The average article returns for each term-set was then graphed against the average of the total number of articles that were returned that included “Islam” as a topic or sub-topic of the article.
Page 82 Page 82
Media Scan Analysis
MEDIA SCAN ANALYSIS
Summary of Findings
T
he level of association of Islam with particular terms varies with the media searched. For example, in reviewing the US’ Time Magazine and the UK’ Economist, the term “politics”
was found in the largest percentage of associated articles (41% of Islam articles). This was followed by terrorism (35% of Islam articles), religion (27%), and women (23%). Violence, extremism, radicalism were all terms that had high percentage association with Islam articles, typically 50-100% more than terms such as women’s rights, veil, customs, prayer, Koran, Ramadan, charity. When reviewing two of the US’s most prestigious newspapers, the New York Times and The Washington Post, “terrorism” was associated with Islam in 40% of the Islam articles compared with 28% for the term “women”, 24% for “religion, and 22% for “politics.” The cultural and religious terms (for example: scarves, veil, turbans, roles, hijab, clergy, imam, Koran) were associated with the Islam articles typically in the 2-8% range. A search of associated terms with Islam using the leading search engines (Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask Jeeves) resulted in the term “religion” being the top associated term (43% of all Islam references). “Politics” (25%), “faith” (23%) “women” (26%) were higher than “terrorism” and “violence” (15-17% respectively). In a second tier, democracy, Islamic Law, education, prayer, Allah, Quran, kill, suicide, radical and holy war were all terms that had were associated with Islam articles between 8-16% of all articles that mentioned Islam. These search engines are used by the large majority of Internet users when searching for articles and references on various topics. These engines search over 200 million references covering a vast array of published works. The higher percentages associated with religion and cultural terms most likely results from the “democratic” and expansive nature of having published works on the Internet. The ability to publish on the Internet is available to anyone.
Page 83
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
MEDIA SCAN ANALYSIS
The studies included in the following tables on “Islam-related” articles were conducted using the following online resources: Major Search Engines Google, Yahoo!, MSN, Ask Jeeves Online Magazines Time, The Economist Online newspapers New York Times, The Washington Post “Islam” was the main topic term Four additional sub-topics were defined to provide extensive search coverage: Politics, Extremists(ism)/Terrorist(ism)/Violence, Rituals/Faith/Religion, Customs/Roles.
Page 84
Media Scan Analysis
TERM SET ONE: Politics, Society and Economics Themes General Search Engine Averages, Online Magazine and Online Newspaper Search Averages
Terms searched: Islam, Islam and politics, Islam and education, Islam and Islamic law, Islam and democracy, Islam and crime, Islam and social justice, Islam and immigration, Islam and freedom of speech, Islam and anti-American, Islam and capitalism, Islam and anti-West, Islam and secularism, Islam and pluralism
General Search Engine Averages Google,Yahoo!, MSN, Ask Jeeves
10178533 100%
100.00%
90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40%
2579292 25.34% 1968990 19.34% 1318994 1183283 1084708 12.96% 11.63% 10.66% 728487 600603 7.16% 5.90%
30% 20% 10%
468948 4.61%
447452 268166 4.40% 2.63%
243358 192685 2.39%
1.89%
132526 1.30%
e se cu Is la la ri s m m an d ca pi ta Is lis la m m an d pl ur Is al la is m m an d an tiW es t
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Is la m
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po lit ic s
0%
Page 85
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Online Newspaper Search Averages The Washington Post & The New York Times 1779
(articles printed within the last 2 years)
100.00%
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40%
407 22.86%
30%
302 16.98%
20%
193 181 178 10.82% 10.18% 10.01%
10%
97
65 3.63%
5.43%
48
38
2.70%
2.14%
25 1.38%
18
13
1
1.01%
0.73%
0.03%
ch se cu la m la ri s an m d so ci al ju Is st la ic m e an d pl Is ur la al m ism an d ca pi Is ta la lis m m an d an tiW es t an d
Is
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im m an d
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n
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ed uc at
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de m oc r
la m
Is
Is
la m
Is
la m
an d
an d
Is
la m
po lit ic s
ac y
0%
Online Magazine Search Averages Time, The Economist (articles printed between 01/1999 through 01/2005)
664 100.00%
100% 90% 80% 70% 60%
275 41.37%
50% 40%
128 114 19.29% 17.18%
30% 20%
87 77 13.04% 11.61%
10%
43
39
6.48%
31 4.60%
5.88%
21
16
12
8
3.09%
0
2.41%
1.81%
1.13%
0.00%
Is
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m Is
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pl ur al is m
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Page 86
fre ed om
m im an d
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0%
Media Scan Analysis
TERM SET TWO: Extremism and Violence Themes Terms searched: lslam, Islam and violence, Islam and terrorism, Islam and kill, Islam and suicide, Islam and terrorist, Islam and radical, Islam and holy war, Islam and jihad, Islam and militant, Islam and extremists, Islam and extremism, Islam and martyrdom, Islam and beheadings
General Search Engine Averages Google,Yahoo!, MSN, Ask Jeeves
10178533 100%
100.00%
90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 1735018 1577771 17.05% 15.50% 1249265 1175107 975870 12.27% 11.54% 9.59%
20% 10%
878628 8.63%
877470 8.62%
653225
395281
6.42%
261464 2.57%
3.88%
171043 1.68%
134007 1.32%
33127 0.33%
ar ty Is
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m la m Is
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Is la m
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Is
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0%
Page 87
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Online Newspaper Search Averages The Washington Post & The New York Times (articles printed within the last 2 years)
1779 100%
100.00%
90% 80% 70% 60% 50%
723 40.65%
40%
514 28.87%
30%
385 21.62%
304 17.09%
20%
282 15.83%
251 14.11%
234 13.16%
189 10.63%
163 9.17%
10%
104 5.85%
77 4.33%
50 2.78%
29 1.60%
be he ad in gs
rd om
an d Is la m
Is
Is
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t
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Is la m
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0%
Online Magazine Search Averages Time, The Economist
100%
(articles printed between 01/1999 through 01/2005)
664 100.00%
90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 230 34.59%
40%
209 31.42%
30%
167 25.09%
135 20.35%
20%
134
115 17.26%
20.20%
97 14.54%
97 14.54%
81 12.13%
71 10.63%
55 8.29%
10%
16 2.34%
3 0.45%
Page 88
gs
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be he ad in
ar ty m la m Is
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Is
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0%
Media Scan Analysis
TERM SET THREE: Religious themes
10178533
Terms searched: Islam, Islam and religion, Islam and faith, Islam and prayer, Islam and Allah, Islam and Quran, Islam and mercy, Islam and charity, Islam and imam, Islam and mosque, Islam and Koran, Islam and Ramadan, Islam and hajj, Islam and Sunni, Islam and rituals, Islam and pilgrimage, Islam and clergy, Islam and infidels, Islam and Shii
100%
General Search Engine Averages Google, Yahoo!, MSN, Ask Jeeves
100.00%
90% 80%
4450036
70% 60% 50%
la m Is la m
3949
149479
194925
240096
242677
296084
329935
437410
514499
523016
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6.13% 5.77% 5.52% 5.14% 5.05% 4.30% 3.24% 2.91% 2.38% 2.36% 1.92% 1.47% 0.04%
re lig Is io la n m an Is d la fa m it h an d p ra Is la ye m r an d Is A la ll a m h an d Q Is ur la m an an d Is m la er m cy an d c Is ha la rit m y an Is d la im m am an d m os Is la qu m e a Is n la d m Ko an ra d n Ra m ad Is an la m an Is d la ha m jj an d Is Su la nn m i Is an la d m r i tu an al d s pi lg r im Is la ag m e an d Is c la le m rg y an d in f id Is el la s m an d Sh ii
0%
561656
7.97%
10%
587403
16.86%16.16%
624246
22.61% 20%
811496
30%
1645308
2301320
40%
1715778
43.72%
Page 89
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Online Newspaper Search Averages The Washington Post & The New York Times (articles printed within the last 2 years)
1779 100.00%
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40%
424 23.84% 355 19.93% 284 248 202 15.97% 171 159 13.94% 11.33% 9.61% 8.91% 77 74 74 56 62 53 38 22 16 3 0 4.33% 4.16% 4.16% 3.46% 3.12% 2.98% 2.14% 1.24% 0.87% 0.14% 0.00%
30% 20% 10%
la m Is
Is
Is la m
an d
re la lig m io an n d m os Is qu la e m an d Is fa la it h m an d Is Su la nn m i an d p Is r a la ye m r an d Is i m la am m an Is la d m Ko an ra d n R a m Is ad la m an an d ch Is ar la m it y an d cl Is er la gy m an Is d la Al m la h an Is d la in m f id an el d s pi lg ri m Is la ag m e an d Is rit la ua m ls an d m er Is cy la m an Is d la ha m jj an d Q ur Is an la m an d Sh ii
0%
Online Magazine Search Averages Time, The Economist
100%
(articles printed between 01/1999 through 01/2005)
664 100.00%
90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 177 26.68%
30%
117 111 17.56% 16.73%
20%
65 60 53 9.72% 8.97% 7.99% 47 31 29 28 24 7.01% 21 17 11 5 4.67% 4.30% 4.14% 3.54% 3.09% 4 2 0 2.49% 1.58% 0.68% 0.60% 0.23% 0.00%
10%
Page 90
re lig io n an Is d la m fa it h an d m os Is la qu m e an d Ko Is la ra m n an d Is S la un m ni an d p Is ra la ye m r an d Is i la m m am an d in fid Is la el m s Is an la d m Al an la h d R a m Is ad la m an an d c Is ha la rit m y Is an la d m c le an rg d y pi lg r im Is la ag m e an d Is rit la ua m ls an d m er Is cy la m an Is d la ha m jj an d Q ur Is an la m an d Sh ii la m
Is
Is la m
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Is
la m
0%
Media Scan Analysis
TERM SET FOUR: Culture and customs themes Terms searched: Islam, Islam and women, Islam and women's rights, Islam and dress, Islam and customs, Islam and roles, Islam and veil, Islam and women roles, Islam and hijab, Islam and polygamy, Islam and scarves, Islam and beards, Islam and turbans
General Search Engine Averages
10178533 100%
Google, Yahoo!, MSN, Ask Jeeves
100.00%
90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 2674150 30%
26.27%
20% 577905 10%
5.68%
500843 4.92%
464792 4.57%
311480 3.06%
193332 1.90%
192411 1.89%
171551 1.69%
s le ro
jab hi
90369 0.89%
61026 0.60%
45663 0.45%
0% m la Is m la Is
d an
m wo
lam Is
en
d an
m wo
's en
rig
s ht m la Is
d an
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ss
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en
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d an
am lyg po
y
lam Is
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s ve ar sc lam Is
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ds ar be lam Is
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23766 0.23% s an rb tu
Page 91
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
Online Newspaper Search Averages The Washington Post & The New York Times (articles printed within the last 2 years)
120% 1779 100%
100.00%
80%
60%
40%
498 27.97% 191 10.71%
20%
95 5.31%
67 3.74%
56 3.15%
56 3.15%
55 3.06%
33 1.86%
43 2.42%
17 0.96%
17 0.96%
8 0.42%
po ly ga m y
an d
an d
Is
Is
la m
Is la m
Is
an d
la m
w om
an d
hi ja b
ro le s en
tu rb an s
ht s r ig
an d la m
Is la m
wo m en '
la m Is
Is
Is
s
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ve il
be ar ds
la m
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cu st
om s
ss dr e la m
Is la m
an d
an d
sc ar ve s
ro le s an d
Is la m
Is la m
Is
la m
an d
Is la m
w om en
0%
Online Magazine Search Averages Time, The Economist
100%
(articles printed between 01/1999 through 01/2005)
664 100.00%
90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 157 23.59%
30%
95 14.32%
20%
64 9.65%
10%
29 4.37%
27 3.99%
20 3.01%
20 3.01%
19 2.86%
9 1.28%
9 1.28%
5 0.68%
4 0.60%
Is
hi ja b an d
la m
po ly ga m y
an d
sc ar ve s Is la m
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Page 92
s
ro le s an d
Is la m
Is
la m
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Is la m
w om en
0%
References and Sources
VI. REFERENCES AND SOURCES
T
he following chapters include some extensive summarized reference listings on the perception of Islam and Muslims. Included in these sections are:
o
Public opinion polls on Islam in the West
o
Articles
o
Books
o
Reports, white papers
o
Websites
Page 93
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
PUBLIC OPINION POLLS ON ISLAM IN THE WEST PEW RESEARCH Plurality Sees Islam as More Likely to Encourage Violence Views of Islam Remain Sharply Divided Report available at: http://pewforum.org/publications/surveys/islam.pdf
Religion and Politics: Contention and Consensus Growing Number Says Islam Encourages Violence Among Followers Report available at: http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=189
Americans Struggle with Religion's Role at Home and Abroad Report available at: http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=387
Views of a Changing World 2003 War With Iraq Further Divides Global Publics Report available at: http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=185
A Year After Iraq War Mistrust of America in Europe Ever Higher, Muslim Anger Persists Report available at: http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=795
What the World Thinks in 2002 How Global Publics View: Their Lives, Their Countries, The World, America Report available at: http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=165
Page 94
References and Sources
PUBLIC OPINION POLLS ON ISLAM IN THE WEST
USA TODAY Great divide splits U.S., Islamic cultures, poll finds Report available at: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2002/03/05/poll.htm
CORNELL MSRG Special Report: Restrictions on Civil Liberties, Views of Islam, & Muslim Americans Report available at: http://www.comm.cornell.edu/msrg/report1a.pdf
GALLUP POLLS Survey finds American distrust of Muslim world Report available at: http://archives.cnn.com/2002/US/03/04/u.s.muslim.poll/
ZOGBY INTERNATIONAL American Muslim Poll 2004 Report available at: http://www.projectmaps.com/AMP2004report.pdf
CAIR (COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS) Islam and Muslims: A Poll of American Public Opinion Report available at: http://www.cair-net.org/downloads/pollresults.pdf
The Muslim Association of Brittan Survey Into Attitudes Towards Islam Report available at: http://www.mabonline.net/media/news/articles/archives/uk2003/ isbsurvey06.11.02.htm
BBC News Islam 'booming' in America Report available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1299225.stm
Page 95
The Western Perception of Islam and Muslims
ARTICLES •
Seyyed Hossein Nasr / Science and Civilization in Islam The Principles of Islam Article available at: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/med/nasr.html
•
Professor Akbar S. Ahmad Muslims in the West Article available at: http://www.islamfortoday.com/akbar04.htm Islam and Freedom of Thought Article available at: http://www.islamfortoday.com/akbar05.htm
•
Oliver Roy - October 12, 2004 Radical Islam appeals to the rootless Article available at: http://www.tharwaproject.com/English/Main-Sec/NetWatch/ NW_10_18_04/OLIVER%20ROY.htm
•
Jane Lampman / The Christian Science Monitor Muslim in America Article available at: http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0110/p15s1-lire.html
•
Abdul Malik Mujahid Muslims in America: Profile Article available at: http://www.allied-media.com/AM/AM-profile.htm
•
Sayyed Yousif al-Khoei Islam and the West: Western Media Coverage of Islam – a critical review Article available at: http://www.honestreports.com/documents/islamophobia.pdf
•
Michael Smith encounters the Western face of Islam--and meets British Muslims who are fighting back against Islamophobia. Islam and the West - Bridging the gap Article available at: http://www.forachange.co.uk/index.php?stoid=78
•
Roger Hardy, BBC Middle East analyst (Roger Hardy is a freelance journalist who has specialized for many years in the Middle East. Islam and the West: Bridging the divide Article available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/special/islam/3182669.stm
•
Ismael Hossein-Zadeh, The Roots of Conflict The Muslim World and the West Article available at: http://www.counterpunch.org/ismael03152003.htm
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References and Sources
ARTICLES
•
John Esposito, A Christian Response to Islam in America Article available at: http://www.ciu.edu/seminary/resources/articles/missions/ a_christian_response_to_islam.pdf Changing Perceptions of Islamic Movements Article available at: http://hir.harvard.edu/articles/index.html?id=1116&page=1
What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam (Excerpts from book) Article available at: http://cmcu.georgetown.edu/PDFs/excerpts%20what%20everyone.pdf •
Freshta Azizi Scholars Press for Better Understanding of Muslim Opinion Article available at: http://www.voanews.com/english/NewsAnalysis/Freshta-AziziUnderstanding-Muslim-Opinion2004-11-02-voa46.cfm
•
Dunstan Prial, Standard-Times staff writer Muslim Americans fighting a battle against perception Article available at: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/10-04/10-17-04/a01lo102.htm
•
Andrew Kohut, Remarks to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing American Public Diplomacy in the Islamic World Article available at: http://people-press.org/commentary/display.php3?AnalysisID=63
•
Jochen Hippler Foreign Policy, the Media, and Western Perception of the Middle East Article available at: http://www.jochen-hippler.de/Aufsatze/ Islam__the_Media__Perceptions/islam__the_media__perceptions.html
•
Ibrahim Kalin - George Washington University Western Perceptions of Islam Yesterday and Today Article available at: http://www.islamonline.net/english/Contemporary/2003/04/ Article01.shtml •
Heba Abdallah How Muslim-bashing Became Acceptable Article available at: http://www.masnet.org/views.asp?id=882
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ARTICLESRT
•
Mubashar Ahmad The Changing Perception Of Islam In American Pluralistic Society Article available at: http://www.bohra.net/archive/islam_america.html
•
Nihad Awad CAIR Proposes World Islamophobia Report Article available at: http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2005-01/14/article05.shtml
•
Jemstone Islam & The West Article available at: http://www.jemstone.net/islam.php
•
Ekkehard Rudolph / International Eurasian Institute for Economic and Political Research Muslim Minorities and European Identities Article available at: http://www.iicas.org/english/enlibrary/libr_13_12_01ip.htm
•
Sahar Kassaimah American Muslims Role in the Political Process Article available at: http://www.masnet.org/views.asp?id=960
•
THE CHANGING PERCEPTION OF ISLAM IN AMERICAN PLURALISTIC SOCIETY The Perception of Islam Article available at: http://www.ummah.org.uk/what-is-islam/respond/percep1.htm
•
George Gerges Islam and Muslims in the Minds of America Article available at: http://www.fathom.com/course/21701771/sessions.html
•
Zafarul-Islam Khan Islam-West confrontation - An Islamic point of view Article available at: http://www.noterrorisminislam.com/english/articles/ islam_west_confrontation.htm
•
James Zogby, Washington Watch" "Washington Watch" is a weekly policy column by Arab American Institute President Dr. James Zogby. It appears in over one dozen countries worldwide Cultural and Commercial Influences on the Free Press Article available at: http://www.aaiusa.org/wwatch/011705.htm
•
The Economist, 1994 Islam and the West Article available at: http://www.economist.com/surveys/displaystory.cfm?story_id=812816
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MEDIA RELATIONS GUIDELINES •
Media Guide to Covering Islam http://mediaguidetoislam.sfsu.edu/home/index.htm
•
Sabine Schiffer / Qantara.de, 2004 Islam and the Western Media-Germany examples Article available at: http://www.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-478/_nr-204/i.html
•
Dealing with the Media, Guidelines for Journalists From the 2004 report from the Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia (See Pages 72-80). Article available at: http://www.insted.co.uk/islambook.pdf
•
100 Questions and Answers about Arab-Americans: A Journalist’s Guide From Detroit Free Press Article available at: http://www.freep.com/jobspage/arabs/index.htm
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BOOKS •
Dr. Ahmed, Akbar (1989) Discovering Islam: Making Sense of Muslim History and Society, Routledge, an imprint of Taylor & Francis Books Lt
•
Dr. Ahmed, Akbar (2003) Islam Under Siege: Living Dangerously in a Post-honor World (Themes for the 21st Century S.), Polity Press
•
Dr. Ahmed, Akbar (2004) Postmodernism and Islam: Predicament and Promise, Routledge, an imprint of Taylor & Francis Books Lt
•
Dr. Ahmed, Akbar (1998) Islam Today: A Short Introduction to the Muslim World, I.B. Tauris
•
Bukhari, Zahid H., Nyang,Sulayman S., Ahmad, Mumtaz, Esposito, John L.(2004) Muslims' Place in the American Public Square: Hope, Fears, and Aspirations, Altamira Press
•
Cesari, Jocelyne (1998) Muslims and the Republic: Youth, Islam and France,
•
Cesari, Jocelyne, co-authored with Bernard Botiveau (1997) Gopolitique des islams (Geopolitics of Islam)
•
Cesari, Jocelyne (2004) When Islam and Democracy Meet: Muslims in Europe and in the United States, Palgrave Macmillan
•
Ernst, Carl (2003) Following Muhammad, Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World, University of North Carolina Press
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References and Sources
BOOKS
•
Esposito, John (2002) What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam, Oxford University Press
•
Esposito, John (1997) Islam, The Straight Path, Oxford University Press; 3rd edition
•
Esposito, John (2003) Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam, Oxford University Press Inc, USA
•
Esposito, John (1999) The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality, Oxford University Press Inc, USA
•
Esposito, John with Burgat, Francois (2003) Modernizing Islam: Religion in the Public Sphere in the Middle East and Europe, Rutgers University Press
•
Esposito, John (1997) Political Islam: Revolution, Radicalism or Reform?, Lynne Rienner Publishers
•
Esposito, John with Voll, John (2001) Makers of Contemporary Islam, Oxford University Press
•
Hippler, Jochen and Lueg, Andrea (1995) The Next Threat, Western Perceptions of Islam, Pluto Press Ltd
•
Lewis, Bernard (2004) The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror, Random House Trade
•
Poole, Elizabeth (2002), Reporting Islam: Media Representations of British Muslims, I.B. Tauris Page 101
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BOOKS
•
Richardson, Robin (2004) Islamophobia – issues, challenges and action, Trentham Books, http://www.insted.co.uk/islambook.pdf
•
Said, Edward (1996), Covering Islam: How the Media and the Experts Determine How We See the Rest of the World, Vintage
•
Shaheen, Jack (1997), Arab and Muslim Stereotyping in American Popular Culture, Georgetown University Center for Muslim
•
Wolfe, Michael (2003), Taking Back Islam, Rodale Press
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References and Sources
WHITE PAPERS/REPORTS The Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia was set up by the Runnymede Trust in 1996. Its first report, Islamophobia: a challenge for us all, was published in 1997 and was launched at the House of Commons by the Home Secretary, Jack Straw MP. A follow-up report, Islamophobia – issues, challenges and action, was published in June 2004. C B M I - Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia Debate and disagreement Report available at: http://www.insted.co.uk/debates.html C B M I - Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia Islamophobia and race relations Report available at: http://www.insted.co.uk/islam.html#index
O
ur newspapers and television screens have again shown us images of Muslim men burning American flags whilst brandishing rifles, juxtaposed with angry young men shouting outside a north London mosque. Afghan women covered from head to toe in the burqha followed by women wearing the hijab protesting against military action outside the Pakistan embassy in London. And amongst all this, we are shown images of Muslim children holding placards bearing the face of Osama bin Laden on the streets of Islamabad. Islamophobia in the Media since September 11th - by Christopher Allen EXPLORING ISLAMOPHOBIA - Deepening Our Understanding of Islam and Muslims Report available at: http://www.fairuk.org/docs/Islamophobia-in-the-Media-since-911ChristopherAllen.pdf
E
minent scholars, of course, have long explicated the ways in which Islamic culture generally is not conducive to democratic practice, though some others have disputed this claim. The experts had said that democracy ought not to be a high priority of the international community in Afghanistan. In a widely read paper early in the year, two leading thinkers on democratization strategies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace had argued instead that a modus vivendi had to be established with the warlords who had made common cause with U.S. forces to rout the Taliban. Thomas O. Melia is an associate at the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy and adjunct professor in the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service What Muslims Want In Afghanistan, and Elsewhere-Democracy Report available at: http://www12.georgetown.edu/sfs/isd/Melia_WhatMuslimsWant.pdf
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WHITE PAPERS/REPORTS
Shattering the Myth: Islam beyond Violence Report available at: http://www.pupress.princeton.edu/chapters/i6281.pdf
M
y main argument is simple, yet it is at odds with most popular and academic understandings of Islam. I argue that Islam cannot be understood except as a major and complex religious system, shaped as much by its own metaphysical postulates and ethical demands as by the circumstances of Muslim polities in the modern world. The last two hundred years have witnessed challenge upon challenge, from colonial subjugation to sporadic revivalism to elitist reform movements to, most recently, pervasive struggles with fundamentalism or Islamism. During each phase, Muslims have had to address internal tensions as well as external threats. Prof. Bruce B. Lawrence - (1998/2000).
The Arab American Institute
R
ecent efforts by the Israeli government and America’s pro-Israel lobby have focused extensively on media coverage of the current crisis between Palestinians and Israelis. From demanding that CNN replace reporters of Palestinian descent with “pro-Israeli reporters” to hiring three additional PR firms to deal with the U.S. media, Israel’s allies have ratcheted up the media war. Go to any pro-Israel organization’s website and you can find a plethora of action alerts charging that the Western media has it in for Israel. But the truth is, in fact, quite the opposite and much more disturbing. A Tale of Two Killings: Observations of Media Bias in Reports of Palestinian and Israeli Deaths Report available at: http://www.aaiusa.org/PDF/taleof2killings.pdf
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References and Sources
WHITE PAPERS/REPORTS
A
LLAH - for Muslims the greatest and most inclusive of the Names of God, an Arabic word of rich and varied meaning, denoting the one who is adored in worship, who creates all that exists, who had priority over all creation, who is lofty and hidden, who confounds all human understanding. It is exactly the same word that the Jews, in Hebrew, use for God (eloh), the word which Jesus Christ used in Aramaic when he prayed to God. God has an identical name in Judaism, Christianity and Islam; Allah is the same God worshipped by Muslims, Christians and Jews. Compiled by Dr. Ishaq Zahid Islam 101 - American Edition Report available at: http://www.islam101.com/presentations/Islam101AmericanEd.doc
O
n June 18, 2003, leading scholars of the American Muslim communities spoke to a Washington audience of 175 drawn from the executive and legislative branches of the federal government, the media, Muslim-American organizations, secular civil society organizations, universities, and the general public. The conference, “Muslims in the United States: Demography, Beliefs, Institutions,” sponsored by the Division of United States Studies of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, began a discussion that is continued in these pages. Edited by Philippa Strum and Danielle Tarantolo MUSLIMS IN THE UNITED STATES Report available at: http://wwics.si.edu/topics/pubs/DUSS_muslims.pdf
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ISLAMIC WEBSITES Islamic Websites on this topic American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) http://www.adc.org/ ADC is a civil rights organization committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage. ADC is the largest Arab-American grassroots organization in the United States. It was founded in 1980 by former U.S. Senator James Abourezk and has chapters nationwide. American Muslim Alliance (AMA) http://www.amaweb.org/ Our main goal is to organize the American Muslim community in the mainstream public affairs, civic discourse and party politics all across the United States. As a nation wide community we must organize ourselves nation wide: in every state and every congressional district. It is our mission to organize Muslims in all fifty states and have an AMA chapter in each of the 435 Congressional Districts. Currently, AMA has 98 chapters in 31 states. American Muslim Council (AMC) http://www.amcnational.org/ The American Muslim Council was established in 1990 to increase the effective participation of American Muslims in the U.S. political and public policy arenas. The American Muslim population, estimated at seven million, comprises Americans of all races and ethnic backgrounds. AMC aims to promote ethical values that enhance the quality of life for all Americans and to catalyze the greater presence of American Muslims in mainstream public life. American Moslem Foundation (AMF) http://www.oz.net/~msarram/introduction.html The AMF is strictly a non-political organization; it is more a religious and educational institution. The Foundation promotes efforts toward safeguarding the religious identity of the future generation of Muslims through its educational programs and community building activities. We believe that these efforts will contribute toward their success and welfare in their new environment and adds to the diversity of the American Society. We do not receive financial support from the U.S. government or from any source outside the United States; rather, the AMF is entirely sustained by Muslims in America.
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ISLAMIC WEBSITES
Arab American Institute (AAI) http://www.aaiusa.org/ Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a non-profit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent. AAI is a membership organization based in Washington, DC that represents the policy and community interests of Arab Americans throughout the United States. We focus in two areas: campaigns and elections, and policy formulation and research. Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) http://www.cair-net.org/ The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a nonprofit 501(c)(4), grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. CAIR is America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, with regional offices nationwide and in Canada. The national headquarters is located on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Since its establishment in 1994, CAIR has worked to promote a positive image of Islam and Muslims in America. Through media relations, lobbying, education and advocacy, CAIR puts forth an Islamic perspective to ensure the Muslim voice is represented. In offering this perspective, CAIR seeks to empower the American Muslim community and encourage their participation in political and social activism. Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) http://www.isna.net/ ISNA is an association of Muslim organizations and individuals that provides a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities, and civic and service organizations.… Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) http://www.mpac.org/ Their vision is to establish a vibrant American Muslim community that will enrich American society through promoting the Islamic values of Mercy, Justice, Peace, Human Dignity, Freedom, and Equality for all. Their mission is to effect positive change in public opinion and in policy with the purpose of realizing the vision. The scope of the mission includes, but is not limited to, the following: 1. Promoting an American Muslim identity; 2. Fostering an effective grassroots organization; 3. Training a future generation of men and women who share our vision; 4. Promoting an accurate portrayal of Islam and Muslims in mass media and popular culture; 5. Educating the American public, both Muslim and non-Muslim about Islam; 6. Building alliances with Muslim and non-Muslim groups; 7. Cultivating relationships with opinion and decision makers. Page 107
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ISLAMIC WEBSITES
Muslims in American Public Square (MAPS) http://www.projectmaps.com MAPS is based at the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (CMCU), Georgetown University, Washington, DC. The center was founded in 1993 to foster a civilizational dialogue between the Muslim World and the West, Islam and Christianity. As part of the university's famous Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, it attracts students, visiting professors and noted scholars from Middle East, Asia, Europe and America. This international mix generates a cross-cultural view of the world and furthers the Center's mission of dispelling discrimination and prejudice. The Center's founding Director, John L. Esposito is Professor of Religion and International Affairs. IslamOnline http://www.islamonline.net This site aims to present a unified and lively Islam that keeps up with modern times in all areas. Their mission is to create a unique, global Islamic site on the Internet that provides services to Muslims and non-Muslims in several languages. To become a reference for everything that deals with Islam, its sciences, civilization and nation. To have credibility in content, distinction in design, and a sharp and balanced vision of humanity and current events. Muslim American Society (MAS) http://www.masnet.org/index.asp The Muslim American Society (MAS) is a charitable, religious, social, cultural, and educational, not-for-profit organization. It is a pioneering Islamic organization, an Islamic revival, and reform movement that uplifts the individual, family, and society. Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) http://www.icna.org/ Established in 1971, the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) is a non-ethnic, non-sectarian, open to all, independent, North America wide, grass root organization. The goal of ICNA shall be to seek the pleasure of Allah (SWT) through the struggle of Iqamat-ud-Deen (establishment of the Islamic system of life) as spelled out in the Qur'an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations (CCMO) http://www.ccmodc.org/ The Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations (CCMO) has been established to serve as a platform of unity and coordination for all Muslim organizations in the Washington Metropolitan area. Page 108
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ISLAMIC WEBSITES
U.S. State Department - Middle East and North Africa http://usinfo.state.gov/mena/ This informational site from the U.S. State Department offers regional profiles, issues on focus, key documents and publications on the Middle East and North Africa. It also host’s links to International organizations, think tanks and universities. Muslim Student Association (MSA) http://www.msa-natl.org/ MSA National has been one of the oldest and most influential religious organizations in North America. MSA National was the precursor of ISNA, ICNA, MAYA, IMA, AMSS, AMSE, MYNA, Islamic Book Service, and the North American Islamic Trust (It has been Serving Muslim students since 1963). MSA National serves Muslim students during their college and university careers by facilitating their efforts to establish, maintain, and develop chapters of Muslim Student Associations, Unions, Organizations, and Islamic Societies. Emphasis is placed on the learning and well-being of the individual Muslim student, as well as networking and growth of the chapter through sponsorship of educational programs, camps, zonal and annual conferences, and worker training programs. United Association for Studies and Research (UASR) http://www.uasr.org/ The United Association for Studies and Research, Inc. (UASR) was incorporated as a nonprofit Organization in 1989 by a number of scholars, journalists, and businessmen for the study of on-going issues in the Middle East, such as the Arab-Israeli conflict. In addition, UASR's founders envisioned an organization that would promote greater dialogue and understanding among ideologically disparate groups in the Arab and Islamic worlds. The UASR includes in its goals the promotion of constructive debate among observers of the region. The UASR's work is also geared toward building bridges between the Western and Muslim worlds. The mutual misunderstanding among the people of these civilizations is counterproductive. The UASR aims to clarify perspectives on all sides of the ideological spectrum. United Muslim Americans Association (UMAA) http://www.umaamerica.org/ Universal Muslim Association of America (UMAA) seeks to provide a forum to foster unity among Muslims, to encourage Muslims to participate in the civic and political responsibilities, to dispel misgivings about Islam and the Muslims and help fellow Americans better understand Islam in the light of Qur'an and the teachings and practice of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and his Ahlul Bayt (a), and to take all necessary measures to help implement the UMAA Objectives that, among other things, include social, religious, economic and political advancement of Muslims in America. Page 109
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ISLAMIC WEBSITES
Islamic Media Foundation (IMF) http://www.islamicmedia.net The Islamic Media Foundation (IMF) is a national, not-for-profit organization, established in 1997. The mission of IMF is to share the guidance of Allah through the broadcast media and the Internet. As a media organization, our aim is to educate the American public about Islam and Muslims, build bridges of understanding between Muslims and their non-Muslim neighbors, and further interfaith dialogue and understanding between religious communities. The Islamic Media Foundation (IMF) realizes that the media, especially television, have an enormous impact on the way this world works on politics, on the economy, on morality and on people's opinions about a myriad of issues. American Muslims for Jerusalem (AMJ) http://www.amjerusalem.org/ American Muslims for Jerusalem is a not for profit organization incorporated in 1999, the organization is committed to the following objectives: •
To ensure that the concerns of the American Muslim community regarding Jerusalem and its environs are understood and respected in the formulation of U.S. policy.
•
To present accurate and timely information to the mass media and other interested parties.
•
To educate, inform, and mobilize the American Muslim community.
•
To raise the awareness of the American society in general and work for a just and comprehensive solution to the issue of Jerusalem.
•
To cooperate with other organizations having similar objectives.
Middle East Institute http://www.mideasti.org/ Since 1946 the Middle East Institute has been an important conduit of information between Middle Eastern nations and American Policy makers and organizations. From our founding in 1946 until today we have worked to increase knowledge of the Middle East among our own citizens and to promote understanding between the peoples of the Middle East and America. Today we play a vital and unique role on Middle Eastern issues by carrying our work beyond the beltway and by working actively with organizations in the region itself. Al-Islam.org http://www.al-islam.org The purpose is to facilitate dissemination of knowledge through this global medium to locations
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ISLAMIC WEBSITES
where such resources are not commonly or easily accessible. In addition, we aim to encourage research and enquiry which the use of technology facilitates. With Al-Islam.org, we attempt to present a balanced and accurate picture of Islam as it has been taught and practiced by the Most Noble Messenger Muhammad (s) and his family, the Ahlul Bayt (a). Islamic Assembly of North America http://www.iananet.org/ IANA was born in the beginning of 1414 A.H., corresponding to mid 1993 C.E. This was the result of a meeting of a number of individuals who were concerned and active in the field of daawah in the United States and Canada. These individuals were representatives of a number of Islamic Centers and organizations. It was the hope of these individuals that daawah in America and elsewhere will achieve an important step when people work together as a group. Institute of Islamic Political Thought (IIPT) http://www.ii-pt.com The Institute is primarily concerned with monitoring the progress taking place in Islamic political thinking and with identifying the fields in which ijtihad ought to be encouraged and supported. The Institute aims to compile innovative studies in the field of Islamic politics, to establish links with prominent thinkers and scholars and to identify potential creative thinkers so as to encourage them and help them develop talents and capabilities. The Institute also aims to assess the experiences of Islamic movements and their contributions to Islamic political thought.
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ISLAMIC WEBSITES / Academia/Universities Duke University - Graduate Program in Religion http://www.duke.edu/web/gradreligion/ The Graduate Program in Religion at Duke University is designed to foster the scholarly study of religion and to equip persons of distinguished academic ability for teaching in departments of religion in colleges and universities, as well as in theological seminaries. Yale University - Department of Religious Studies http://www.yale.edu/religiousstudies/ The Yale Department of Religious Studies, established in its present form in 1963, provides opportunities for the scholarly study of a number of religious traditions and disciplines. At the undergraduate level, the Department offers a wide array of courses that cover the major religions of the world, with a strong emphasis on their history and their intellectual traditions American University - The School of International Service http://www.american.edu/sis/ The School of International Service provides a unique environment for learning and professional enhancement. It is a community comprised of scholars, practitioners, and students from around the world. The School of International Service community has tripartite governance with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students involved in every facet of community life. The Graduate Student Council and the Undergraduate Cabinet are partners with the school's faculty in addressing emerging research issues, promoting public dialogue, and providing service to the larger community. California State University Northridge - The Religious Studies Program http://www.csun.edu/religious.studies/ The Religious Studies Program is designed to provide a liberal arts background with an emphasis upon religious traditions and phenomena. The Department is non-sectarian and aims to serve all students with or without religious affiliation. Students of all religions and ethnic backgrounds are welcome to enroll in individual Religious Studies courses or to complete the Religious Studies Major or Minor. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill - Department of Religious Studies http://www.unc.edu/depts/rel_stud/ The UNC Department of Religious Studies is dedicated to the study of the world's religions as historical and cultural phenomena. In large introductory classes and small upper-level seminars, students and faculty explore religious traditions and their history, sacred texts, belief systems, rituals, and institutions.
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ISLAMIC WEBSITES / Academia/Universities
The Department of Religious Studies is one of the oldest departments of its kind at an American public university. It is normally ranked third among the nation's undergraduate programs in religious studies by the Gourman Report, higher than any other academic unit at UNC. Howard University - Department of African Studies http://www.gs.howard.edu/gradprograms/african_studies/ The Department of African Studies was established to offer the masters of arts degree in 1953. In 1969, the unit was placed in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offering both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in African Studies. Howard University was the first university in the United States to offer a Ph.D. in African Studies. In 1988, the Howard University Board of Trustees approved the recommendation of the African Studies with both graduate and undergraduate programs. Since 1991 both programs have been fully functioning as components of the Department of African Studies at Howard University. The main objective of graduate studies in the Department is to train scholars in the field of African Studies with emphasis on contemporary issues of public policy and development, world affairs, and the arts. Georgetown University - Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding http://cmcu.georgetown.edu/publications/resources.html The Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding was founded in 1993 by an agreement between the Foundation pour L'Entente entre Chretiens et Musulmans, Geneva and Georgetown University to build stronger bridge of understanding between the Muslim world and the West as well as between Islam and Christianity. The Center's mission is to improve relations between the Muslim world and the West and enhance understanding of Muslims in the West. The geographic scope and coverage of the center includes the breadth of the Muslim world, from North Africa to Southeast Asia, as well as Europe and America. Since its foundation, the Center has become internationally recognized as a leader in the field of Muslim-Christian relations. Hudson Institute - Center for Middle East http://mes.hudson.org/index.cfm The Center for Middle East Policy seeks to present a frank and accurate account of developments in the Middle East utilizing primary sources both from Israel and the Arab world to provide thorough, credible, and timely analysis of events, ideas, and trends. The Center has become a well-respected information source for key policymakers in the United States and Israel, as well as, in certain cases, from those in the Arab world. Harvard University - Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~mideast/ The Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) was founded in 1954 for the purpose of Page 113
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ISLAMIC WEBSITES / Academia/Universities
furthering the study of the Middle East at Harvard University. This mandate has included a primary emphasis on the centuries since the rise of Islam and a concern with the wider Islamic world as well. CMES
serves Harvard as the coordinating body and the primary source of additional support for the various academic programs that cover the vast region from Morocco and North Africa to Turkey and Iran. University of California-Berkeley – Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) http://ias.berkeley.edu/cmes/ Middle Eastern Studies has been taught at Berkeley since 1894, and Berkeley today is one of thirteen national resource centers designated by the United States Department of Education for the study of the Middle East. The principal mission is to enhance awareness of the Middle East and of its diverse peoples and cultures. The center promotes both specialized knowledge and public understanding of this crucial area of the world, which includes the Arab states, Turkey, Iran, and Israel. New York University - The Hagop Kevorkian Center http://www.nyu.edu/gsas/program/neareast/ The Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies at New York University was created in 1966 to foster the interdisciplinary study of the modern and contemporary Middle East and to enhance public understanding of the region. The Kevorkian Center's activities focus on the histories, politics, economies, religions, cultures and languages of the area stretching from North Africa to Central Asia. Princeton University - Department of Near Eastern Studies http://www.princeton.edu/~nes/ Princeton University has a history going back almost 250 years, and an involvement in Near Eastern studies that began as early as 1899. However, it was not until 1927 that a Department of Oriental Languages and Literatures, covering both the Near East and East Asia, was formally established. In 1947 the interdisciplinary Program in Near Eastern Studies was set up, and in 1969 the Department of Oriental Languages and Literatures was divided into the Departments of Near Eastern Studies and East Asian Studies. The two independent departments continue to share Jones Hall, a small but attractive building originally constructed for Princeton's mathematicians, and in which Einstein had his first office in Princeton. Princeton's "Near East" is pretty much the same as the "Middle East", plus North Africa; that is to say, it includes Turkey, Iran, all the Arab countries, and Israel. In addition, one faculty member is a specialist on Islamic Africa south of the Sahara. Cardiff University - Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies http://www.cf.ac.uk/jomec/ Page 114
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ISLAMIC WEBSITES / Academia/Universities
Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies is one of Britain's premier centres for teaching and research, with staff who have international reputations both in practical journalism and in research and publication. The Cardiff School of Journalism, Media & Cultural Studies (JOMEC) is one of the largest media departments in the UK, with over 40 academic staff and eleven support staff and a total student body of over 800, including 200 postgraduates. In the early 1970's, Cardiff pioneered journalism education in British Universities and has gone on to build a world renowned centre for the study of all aspects of journalism, mass media and cultural studies.
ISLAMIC WEBSITES UK Muslim Organizations UK Islamic Mission (UKIM) http://www.ukim.org/ The UK Islamic Mission is a national organization with over 40 branches and Islamic Centers working across the United Kingdom. The UK Islamic Mission formed in the early 1960’s, it has served the Muslim community in particular and has helped to build bridges of understanding and mutual respect across faith communities. The Muslim Students Society (MSS) http://www.mssuk.net/ Since it was set up in 1961, the Muslim Students Society has always stood for the balanced, forward thinking, and comprehensive Islamic way. Furthermore, we have always felt that the only way Muslims will progress in the West is if they are educated, responsible, politically aware, productive, and proactive and if they contribute positively to the society in which they live. Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) http://www.mcb.org.uk/index.html Their Objectives are, To promote cooperation, consensus and unity on Muslim affairs in the UK; To encourage and strengthen all existing efforts being made for the benefit of the Muslim community; To work for a more enlightened appreciation of Islam and Muslims in the wider society; To establish a position for the Muslim community within British society that is fair and based on due rights; To work for the eradication of disadvantages and forms of discrimination faced by Muslims; To foster better community relations and work for the good of society as a whole. Page 115
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ISLAMIC WEBSITES UK Muslim Organizations
Islamic Forum of Europe (IFE) http://www.islamicforumeurope.com Currently IFE has branches across Britain; and in the following countries; Austria, France, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland. The Islamic Society of Britain (ISB) http://www.isb.org.uk/ The Islamic Society of Britain (ISB) was set up to provide a vehicle for committed British Muslims to combine their knowledge, skills and efforts for the benefit of one another and British society as a whole, through the promotion of Islam and Islamic values.
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Profiles of Experts Interviewed
PROFILES OF EXPERTS INTERVIEWED Salam Al-Marayati, Executive Director, Muslim Public Affairs Council Mr. Al-Marayati is the director and one of the founders of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC). He has been a member of the Executive Committee of the California Democratic Party. He served as a liaison to the Muslim community for Los Angeles City Councilman Robert Farrel. He obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in Bio-Chemistry from the University of California (UCLA). He then received an Executive Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of California-Irvine (UCI). He has written extensively on Islam, human rights, democracy, Middle East politics, the Balkan Crisis, and the Transcaucus conflict. His articles and interviews have appeared on such prominent newspapers as The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The LA Daily News, The Chicago Tribune, The San Francisco Chronicle and USA Today. He has appeared on radio and TV talk shows including C-SPAN and NBC.
John L. Esposito, Georgetown University, Professor of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies, Founding Director of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding Previously, he was Loyola Professor of Middle East Studies and Director of the Center for International Studies at the College of the Holy Cross. He has served as President of the Middle East Studies Association of North America and of the American Council for the Study of Islamic Societies as well as a consultant to governments, multinational corporations, and the media worldwide. Esposito is Editor-in-Chief of The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World, The Oxford History of Islam, The Oxford Dictionary of Islam and Oxford’s The Islamic World: Past and Present. His more than 30 books include: Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam, What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam, The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality?, Islam and Politics, Islam: The Straight Path, Modernizing Islam (with F. Burgat), Islam and Democracy and Makers of Contemporary Islam (with John Voll), Political Islam: Radicalism, Revolution or Reform?
Dr. Carl W. Ernst, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Chair of the Department of Religious Studies Carl W. Ernst is a specialist in Islamic studies, with a focus on West and South Asia. His published research, based on the study of Arabic, Persian, and Urdu, has been mainly devoted to the study of Islam and Sufism. His most recent book, Following Muhammad:
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Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World has been awarded the 2004 Bashrahil Prize for Outstanding Cultural Achievement. He studied comparative religion at Stanford University (A.B. 1973) and Harvard University (Ph.D. 1981), and has done research tours in India (1978-79, 1981), Pakistan (1986, 2000), and Turkey (1991), and has also visited Iran (1996, 1999) and Uzbekistan (2003). He has taught at Pomona College (1981-1992) and has been appointed as visiting lecturer in Paris (1991, 2003), Seville (2001), and Kuala Lumpur (2005). A faculty member of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since 1992, and department chair 1995-2000.
Dr. Amir Hussain, California State University Northridge, Professor, Department of Religious Studies His area of research is on the study of Islam, specifically contemporary Muslim societies in North America. His PhD dissertation was on Muslim communities in Toronto. His doctoral thesis is on “Islam as a Canadian Religious Phenomena" (and he would like to do similar work on the Islamic phenomena in the United States). He has published an article on "The Concept of Law in Islam." He has co-authored the chapter on Islam in a book called "Faith in My Neighbor: World Religions in Canada." He did his undergraduate work in psychology and graduate work at the University of Toronto in Comparative Religions. He is on the editorial board of a new journal, Comparative Islamic Studies. And is part of the research network for the Islam and Human Rights Fellowship Program at Emory University.
Dr. Akbar Ahmed, American University, Chair of Islamic Studies and professor of International Relations Dr. Ahmed is a distinguished anthropologist, writer and filmmaker. He has been actively involved in inter-faith dialogue — and his work to bring understanding between Islam and the West has included three appearances on Oprah and a BBC news series called "Living Islam" — broadcast for the first time in 1993. Dr. Ahmed first became interested in Muslim leadership and its impact on Muslim society in the 1980s — when he was Pakistani Commissioner in Baluchistan. The study of global Islam and its impact on contemporary society has been the major focus of his work since. From 1999 to 2000, Dr. Ahmed was the Pakistani High Commissioner (Ambassador) to the United Kingdom. He has also held many other senior positions in Pakistan. Dr. Akbar Ahmed is also a member of The Globalist's Global Advisory Board. Page 118
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His many award-winning books include: Discovering Islam: Making Sense of Muslim History and Society, Postmodernism and Islam: Predicament and Promise, Islam Today: A Short Introduction to the Muslim World and Jinnah Quartet.
Dr. Meyrav Wurmser, Hudson Institute, Director and Senior Fellow at the Center for Middle East Dr. Wurmser, the former Executive Director of the MEMRI: Middle East Media Research Institute, is a leading scholar of the Arab world. She helped to educate policymakers about the Palestinian Authority two-track approach to 'negotiating peace' with Israel. Dr. Wurmser is a columnist for the Jerusalem Post and a frequent guest on radio and television, including BBC, Fox News, CNN, PBS and CNBC. Wurmser has written numerous books and monographs on Israel, the Arab world, and Zionism. Her most recent book is The Schools of Ba'athism--a Study of Syrian Schoolbooks. Wurmser, who has taught political science at the Johns Hopkins University and the United States Naval Academy, has published articles in such publications as the Weekly Standard, the Middle East Quarterly, the Washington Times, the Middle East Journal and Middle East Insight.
Robin Richardson, Director of the Insted consultancy, Insted Consultancy, UK Richardson joined Insted in 1996, having previously been director of the Runnymede Trust and before that chief inspector in Brent and adviser for multicultural education in Berkshire. He has worked as a consultant or lecturer in a range of governmental and other organizations in the UK, in most west European countries, and in Australia, Czech Republic, Israel, Kenya, Lesotho, India, Japan, South Africa and the United States. Robin acted as consultant and editor for the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain chaired by Lord Parekh (1998–2000); the Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia, 1996–2004; the British Council in 2002; and the Churches’ Commission for Racial Justice, 2002–2004. With Angela Wood he is co-author of Inside Stories (1992), Inclusive Schools, Inclusive Society (1999) and The Achievement of British Pakistani Learners: Work in Progress (2004).
Laurent Murawiec, Hudson Institute, Senior Fellow in Washington, D.C. He was a senior international policy analyst with the RAND Corporation until 2002. He has taught philosophy in Paris and was a foreign correspondent in Germany and Central Europe Page 119
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for La Vie Francaise. He later co-founded and managed GeoPol Services S.A., a Geneva, Switzerland, consulting company that advised multinational corporations and banks. Prior to moving to the US, he was an adviser to the French Ministry of Defense and taught the history of economic planning at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris. He has taught military analysis and cultural anthropology at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. He earned his B.A., Phil. and M.A., Phil. from the Sorbonne University in Paris. He is a contributor to The National Interest, Middle East Quarterly and other journals, and he is a columnist for the Daily Telegraph (London) and Welt am Sonntag (Berlin). He has lectured at Columbia University, Georgetown, SAIS-Johns Hopkins, Corpus Christi Coll., Cambridge, UK, the U.S. Naval Academy, the Canadian Forces College and the Royal Canadian Military College, the Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Dfense Nationale in Paris.
Professor Sulayman Nyang, Howard University, Professor of the department of African Studies & Director & co-principle investigator Muslims in American Public Square, MAPS. Professor Sulayman Nyang has a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. He teaches at the department of African Studies, Howard University in Washington, D. C. He served as department chair from 1986 to 1993. He also served, from 1975 to 1978, as Deputy Ambassador of the Gambian Embassy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is currently the Lead Developer for the African Voice Project of the Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution. Professor Nyang has served on the boards of the African Studies Association, the American Council for the Study of the Islamic Societies and the Association of Muslim Social Scientists. He is also a member of the Academic Council of the Center for the Muslim-Christian Understanding. He is a frequent lecturer on college campuses, Islamic centers and national conventions of various Islamic organizations of North America. He has written extensively on Islamic, African and Middle Eastern affairs and has also contributed over a dozen chapters in edited books. His recent book, Islam in the United States of America (1999), is a collection of essays written over several years.
Laila Al-Qatami, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Communications Director. Her work requires daily interaction with major domestic and international media outlets. She has provided commentary for NPR, Pacifica, BBC, CBS, Reuters, ABC, MSNBC, AlterNet, CNET, the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, the Guardian, the Associated Press, and many other news sources. She has also appeared on the leading Arabic language television stations Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya, and Abu Dhabi TV. Page 120
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Al-Qatami has also served as an editorial consultant for a wide range of documentaries and educational programs about Arabs, Arab Americans, Islam, and Civil Rights in the US. These programs have aired on PBS, Discovery, Showtime, BBC, MTV, and Nickelodeon in addition to several independent films. She was an editor of the 1998-2000 Report on Hate Crimes and Discrimination Against Arab Americans: The Post September 11 Backlash (ADC, 2002). She continues to edit and design ADC publications, including the ADC Times. She has a B.S in Journalism from the University of Colorado and an M.A. in Arab Studies from Georgetown University.
Bruce Lawrence, Duke University, Chair of the Graduate Program in Religion He has been on the faculty at Duke University since 1971. A graduate of Princeton University, with a Master of Divinity from Episcopal Divinity School (Cambridge), he earned his doctorate at Yale University in History of Religions. There he was trained to engage the large swath of Asia known as West and South Asia, with particular reference to the cultures and languages, the history and religious practices marked as Muslim. But he also concerns himself with the non-Muslim religious traditions of Asia, especially Hinduism and Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism, at the same time that he pursues the turbulent reconnections of Europe to Asia that were forged in colonial, then post-colonial encounters. His early books explored the intellectual and social history of Asian Muslims. The test case of fundamentalism became the topic of his award-winning monograph, Defenders of God: The Fundamentalist Revolt Against the Modern Age (1989/1995). A parallel but narrower enquiry informed his latest monograph, Shattering the Myth: Islam beyond Violence (1998/2000).
Tudor Lomas, Jemstone Network, Director Tudor Lomas is Director of the Jemstone Network, a media and development consultancy which he established in 1999 after four years on secondment from the BBC to an EU-funded project aimed at increasing contacts and understanding between media professionals in the Middle East and Europe. He had joined the BBC as a graduate news trainee from Oxford University and worked as a journalist, manager and broadcaster on both radio (Today and File on Four) and TV (On the Record and Westminster), as well as various jobs outside the BBC. Mr. Lomas obtained honours degree at Oriel College, Oxford University in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and an Oxford MA.
Dr. Zahid H. Bukhari, Georgetown University, Director, American Muslim Studies Program (AMSP) Page 121
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Dr. Bukhari is currently working as Director Pew Project: Muslims in American Public Square, and Fellow, Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University Dr. Bukhari has a Masters in Economics from the University of Karachi and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut. His research interests have focused on religion and politics in the United States. He has a vast experience in all aspects of survey research. From 1978-1983, he worked as founding executive director of the Pakistan Institute of Public Opinion (PIPO), Islamabad, a member of Gallup International. He has published and presented papers on Islam and development, Muslim public opinion in the US and other related topics in national and international forums. Dr. Bukhari has an extensive experience of working with various Islamic organizations and also with other religious groups of USA. He was one of the founders of the National Islamic Shura Council, a representative body of the American Muslims consisting of four national Islamic organizations. Dr. Bukhari also worked as Secretary General of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) from 1990 to 1995. Since 1996, he has also been the chairman of ICNA Relief, a not-for-profit relief organization, which operates national and international projects.
Trevor Mostyn, Journalist, expert on European media coverage Mr. Mostyn has been a journalist, publisher and consultant in the Arab world, Iran and India. He spent four years traveling for seven months a year as Macmillan Publishers Middle East Manager before moving to create MEED Books for the Middle East Economic Digest. He created and ran the European Union’s post Oslo-Accords Med Media and Peace Media Programmes (1991-96) and he launched the EU’s Gulf Media Programme and UNDP’s Palestine Media Programme. Today he mainly deals with human rights and censorship. His languages are French, Arabic, Spanish, and Persian. He was deputy Financial Times correspondent in Cairo and is a Middle East correspondent for The Tablet newspaper and has written for Prospect magazine, the Evening Standard, the Times, the International Herald Tribune and The Wall Street Journal and occasionally broadcast on the BBC World Service. And he has written for the New Statesman on the Revolution in Iran and the Civil War in Lebanon.
Jocelyne Cesari, Harvard University, Fellow at The Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) Emergence of a Minority), 1991) was a pioneer work on the condition of Muslims as a religious minority. In 1998, she created the Network On Comparative Research Islam Muslims in Europe (NOCRIME), comprising nine scholars from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the Netherlands. The network's purpose is to move beyond collections of case studies of Page 122
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Muslim minorities in European countries in order to design research projects whose hypotheses, data, and findings will serve policy-makers in the domains of immigration, race, ethnicity and multiculturalism, both at national and European levels. Ms. Cesari has taught at Columbia University, where she conducted research on the transnational Muslim elite in the US under the auspices of the Ford Foundation.
Nihad Awad, Board Member Co-Founder, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Mr. Awad is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest non-profit Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. He has been frequently interviewed on national and international media such as CNN, BBC World Service, PBS, C-SPAN, National Public Radio, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Voice of America and Al-Jazeerah. In 1997, Mr. Awad served on Vice President Al Gore’s Civil Rights Advisory Panel to the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security. Mr. Awad has also personally met with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and current Secretary of State Colin L. Powell to discuss the needs of the American Muslim community. For the 2000 presidential election, Mr. Awad was a key figure in the American Muslim Political Coordinating Committee (AMPCC). He has also spoken at prestigious educational institutions, including Harvard, Stanford and Johns Hopkins Universities. He was also a featured speaker at the 2002 Reuters Forum on global cooperation at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Mr. Awad is also featured in Silent No More by former United States Representative Paul Findley (R-IL), a book chronicling the history of the American Muslim community.
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