Research Notes Frequency 905 220 278 261 144 28 1 366 257 318 American Attitudes towards Islam: A Nationwide Poll % of Sample Margin of Error 100.0 3 24.4 6 30.8 6 28.9 6 15.9 8 31.1 . 6 40.5 5 28.4 6 35.1 6 Introduction and Methodology The American Muslim Council poll was conducted from 16-23 Mamh 1993 by the John Zogby Group International, Inc., of New Hartfod, New York. A total of 905 adults were contacted by telephone by trained can- vassers from the Zogby Group offices. The random sample was stmtified to ensure a equitable distribution of Fespondents by region. The sample was selected by a ptocectUre of random digiting in order to give listed and unlisted residential numbers an equal chance of selec- tion All ate8 codes in the cOntiguous forty-eight states were mpmented, and each state was represented in the total sample accotding to its propor- tion of the total population. Calls w e e made from 4:OO pm to 9:OO pm in all time zones on weeknights, from 1O:OO am to 5:OO pm on Saturday, and from 5:OO pm to 9:OO pm on Sunday. Three callbacks were made to each household where there was no initial contact. Sample characteristics are described below: G~OUD Overall Northeast south Great L a k d central West 18-34 35-54 55 + HS Graduate or less Some College 353 I 39.0 I 5 The James Zogby Group International, Inc. 403 Weights were not applied, since all demographic subgroups were within the margin-of-error of actual census characteristics. Results and Analysis The World Trade Center bombing is having a negative impact on Amencan views of Muslims, according to a nationwide poll of adults. The poll analyzed here has a margin of error of plus or minus three. The survey found that one in five Americans agree that the "series of events following the World Trade Gmter bombing will impact negatively on (their) view of Muslims, 55 percent say it will not, and 24 percent are not sure or have no opinion. Even worn for Musfims, fout in ten (42 percent) of those polled agree that "there should be restrictions on the 404 The Amencan Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 103 number of Muslims allowed to immigrate to the U.S.," while 31 percent disagree, and 21 percent are not sure. These fmdings compound the image problems Muslims almdy have in the American public eye. The poll revealed that among a select list of religious groups tested, Muslims receive the lowest favorable and highest unfavorable ratings. Only 23 percent give a favorable rating to Islam and Muslims, while 36 percent rate it unfavorably, and 41 percent are not sue. The low rating for Muslims contrasts with American views of other religious groups as seen in table 1. Table 1: ImpressionS of Select Religious Groups (96) Significantly, two in four are not sure or have no opinion about Islam or Muslims. Muslims are more favorably regarded in the Northeast (33 percent) than any other region (South 19 percent; G m t Lakes/Central22 percent; West 20 percent). Older Americans give the lowest positive rat- ing to Muslims (only 15 percent), but also are the least likely to form an opinion (47 percent not sure). College graduates are twice as likely to view Muslims or Islam favorably (37 percent) than those with high school diplomas or less. The highest income group has the highest im- pression (36 percent favorable), while there is no substantial difference among the other income categories. While Hinduism ties with Islam in favorable rating (23 percent), Islam's 36 percent negative rating surpasses Hinduism's 31 percent. As in the case of Islam, 45 percent of the nationwide sample have no opin- The J a m e s Zogby Group Internatiaml, Inc. 405 ion. Not surprisingly, Americans have very little undetstanding of the Eastern world-however, the fact that the image of Islam and Muslims is not significantly worse than that of Hinduism should be cause for some enthusiasm among American Muslim leaders. At the same time, Muslims receive mixed reviews when specific char- acteristics m considered. For example, 43 percent agree with the state- ment that Muslims "tend to be religious fanatics," while only 24 percent disagree, and 33 percent are not sure. Less than a majority (47 percent) fee the same about Fundamentalist Christians. And more Americans are likely to agree that "Muslims are not tolerant of othem" (28 percent) than disagree (22 percent), while 50 percent are not sute. At the same time, 30 percent feel that Fundamentalist Christians are not tolerant of others (28 percent disagree, 42 percent not sure), while only 22 percent say that Jews are not tolerant (46 percent disagree, 32 percent not sure). But the news from the poll is not entirely bad for Muslims. Nearly two in five (38 percent) agree that Muslims "tend to lead clean and re- spectable lives," while only 15 percent disagree, and 48 percent are not sure. More agree that "the vast majority of Muslims hate terrorism" (34 percent) than disagree (17 percent). By way of comparison, 66 percent agree that Jews lead clean and respectable lives, and 50 percent feel the same way a b u t Fundamentalist chtistians. The significant finding is that large percentages ate not sure or have no opinion about Muslims despite years of negative images and s t e m types presented in the media and entertainment. The fact that one-third to two-fifths of all those surveyed ate not sure a b u t their views of Mus- lims means that substantial numbers of Americans want (and need) more evidence and are willing to not rush to judgment. It also means that a real window of opportunity exists both for American Muslims to better inte- grate themselves into American life and to be more visible. As the survey data suggests, such minority religious groups as Jews and Fundamentalist Christians seem to benefit by their visibility and interaction in American public and community life. American Muslims, who represent the fastest growing and perhaps the second largest non-Christian religious group in the United States, can benefit by their concentmtion in major American metropolitan centers, their representation in the professions, small busi- ness, the work fotce, and by accentuating very positive religious values. The poll shows that American are willing to be fair to Muslims and support their fuhter integration into American life. About four in ten (42 percent) agree that "there is a tendency to discriminate against Muslims in the UNtd States"; 22 percent disagree and 36 percent are not sure. By contrast, 19 percent a g m that Fundamentalist Christians are d i ~ c r i m i ~ t e d against, while 42 percent disagtee, and 38 p e n t do not know. 406 The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 103 Nearly four in ten of those polled (38 percent) agree that "Muslim men and women should be allowed to take time off from work on Fri- days to pray," while 34 percent disagtee. And almost six in ten (58 per- cent) feel that "Muslim women should be allowed to wear veils to work if they desire," while only 20 percent disagree. Only one in five (20 per- cent) agree that the "Muslim population in the United States is growing too rapidly," while 28 percent disagree, and 52 percent But again, the poll yielded a mixed bag of results. Almost half (49 percent) disagree that "American Muslims should be allowed days off with pay for major Muslim holidays, while 24 percent agree, and 37 per- cent ate not sure. A number of international issues involving Muslims are currently fac- ing American policymakers today. Table 2 shows American public views on rival groups in several hot spots. not sure. Table 2: American Views of Crises Involving Muslims (W) Question: In the conflict between the following groups, the United States should support: U Serbs and Bosnian Muslims Serbs Bosnian Muslims Neither Not Sure 5 12 37 45 A Israel and Palestinians n I ~~ I U Israel I Palestinians I Neither I Not Sure Israel and Deported Muslims Israel Dep. Muslims Neither Not Sure 19 13 29 40 The James Zogby Group Intematimal, Inc. 407 With the exception of the issue of neo-fascists and Muslims in Ger- many, no groundswell of public sympathy for Muslims was detected. In- terestingly, 18-34 year olds were more likely to sympathize with the de- ported Muslims, while Northeasterners are evenly split. Perhaps the most significant figure in each test case is the substantial number of those who express uncertainty or no opinion-indicating clearly a lack of knowledge and interest and an opportunity for Muslims to present a better case. Until (and if) that effort begins, Muslims can expect to be hurt by re- cent events. In addition to the 22 percent who say that the World Trade Center bombing will impact negatively on their view of Muslims, 56 percent feel that it will "likely have a negative impact on Arab Ameri- cans." Respondents are evenly split among those who believe that it was more a "part of a wider conspiracy involving a foreign nation" (33 per- cent) and those who feel it was "the act of a few temrists" (32 pemmt). The Next Step Influential observers in the Untied States agree that, with the end of the Cold War, the new focus for American policymakers will be Islamic nations and movements. As Professor Shaw Dallal argues in The Link, the= is now "an all-out effort to drive a wedge between the U.S. and the Muslim world." The evidence is clear that "Islam is the new enemy and that major world flash points involve Islamic people and movements." The stakes are very high and, to date, American sympathy and under- standing of Muslims is not very good. On the other hand, those who pro- fess no knowledge or opinion of Muslims-in the face of a barrage of negative images-are high. This suggests that opportunities exist for pro- grams to enhance understanding and create and project a positive image. A joint project involving Muslim nations and American Muslim leaders is needed. Resources must be utilized in the form of a public rela- tions campaign aimed at the very source of the problem-the media. Television advertising, charitable contributions, and human intexst stories can serve to project a softer image of Muslims. Funding of television spe- cials, insistence on the use of positive Muslim characters in films and television shows, and the promotion of visible events to raise money for charity can go a long way towards building positive images and a bridge to the mainstream public. American Muslims must become less isolated and more involved in community afairs. Learning packages, including audio-visual aids, should be prepared and distributed to schools and com- munity groups. American Muslims must seek inclusion and increasing participation in ecumenical services and local projects. The poll shows that the door is wide open for significant image enhancement efforts.