Posted on 02/27/2008 9:25:10 AM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (AFP) - A huge survey of the world's Muslims released Tuesday challenges Western notions that equate Islam with radicalism and violence.
The survey, conducted by the Gallup polling agency over six years and three continents, seeks to dispel the belief held by some in the West that Islam itself is the driving force of radicalism.
It shows that the overwhelming majority of Muslims condemned the attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001 and other subsequent terrorist attacks, the authors of the study said in Washington.
"Samuel Harris said in the Washington Times (in 2004): 'It is time we admitted that we are not at war with terrorism. We are at war with Islam'," Dalia Mogahed, co-author of the book "Who Speaks for Islam" which grew out of the study, told a news conference here.
"The argument Mr Harris makes is that religion in the primary driver" of radicalism and violence, she said.
"Religion is an important part of life for the overwhelming majority of Muslims, and if it were indeed the driver for radicalisation, this would be a serious issue."
But the study, which Gallup says surveyed a sample equivalent to 90 percent of the world's Muslims, showed that widespread religiosity "does not translate into widespread support for terrorism," said Mogahed, director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies.
About 93 percent of the world's 1.3 billion Muslims are moderates and only seven percent are politically radical, according to the poll, based on more than 50,000 interviews.
In majority Muslim countries, overwhelming majorities said religion was a very important part of their lives -- 99 percent in Indonesia, 98 percent in Egypt, 95 percent in Pakistan.
But only seven percent of the billion Muslims surveyed -- the radicals -- condoned the attacks on the United States in 2001, the poll showed.
Moderate Muslims interviewed for the poll condemned the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington because innocent lives were lost and civilians killed.
"Some actually cited religious justifications for why they were against 9/11, going as far as to quote from the Koran -- for example, the verse that says taking one innocent life is like killing all humanity," she said.
Meanwhile, radical Muslims gave political, not religious, reasons for condoning the attacks, the poll showed.
The survey shows radicals to be neither more religious than their moderate counterparts, nor products of abject poverty or refugee camps.
"The radicals are better educated, have better jobs, and are more hopeful with regard to the future than mainstream Muslims," John Esposito, who co-authored "Who Speaks for Islam", said.
"Ironically, they believe in democracy even more than many of the mainstream moderates do, but they're more cynical about whether they'll ever get it," said Esposito, a professor of Islamic studies at Georgetown University in Washington.
Gallup launched the study following 9/11, after which US President George W. Bush asked in a speech, which is quoted in the book: "Why do they hate us?"
"They hate... a democratically elected government," Bush offered as a reason.
"They hate our freedoms -- our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other."
But the poll, which gives ordinary Muslims a voice in the global debate that they have been drawn into by 9/11, showed that most Muslims -- including radicals -- admire the West for its democracy, freedoms and technological prowess.
What they do not want is to have Western ways forced on them, it said.
"Muslims want self-determination, but not an American-imposed and -defined democracy. They don't want secularism or theocracy. What the majority wants is democracy with religious values," said Esposito.
The poll has given voice to Islam's silent majority, said Mogahed.
"A billion Muslims should be the ones that we look to, to understand what they believe, rather than a vocal minority," she told AFP.
Muslims in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East were interviewed for the survey, which is part of Gallup's World Poll that aims to interview 95 percent of the world's population.
They admire us so much that they keep demanding that we die horribly.
They can keep their "fan club" to themselves...
That's only 91 million murderous terrorists then. Why were we ever worried about Islam?
“What the majority wants is democracy with religious values”
Where do they have that currently?
If true, it would be good news. However, all MSM-type “surveys” are - to me - mere drivel. For obvious reasons.
What the majority wants is democracy with religious values”
Kind of like Iran, right?
What the majority wants is democracy with religious values”
Kind of like Iran, right?
So, only 7 percent of 1.3 billion Muslims are radicals. Only 91 million. That's a relief!
About 93 percent of the world’s 1.3 billion Muslims are moderates and only seven percent are politically radical...
Then 93 precent are going to have to get off their asses and decide whose side they are on!
Only 91 million. That’s a relief!
And we have a far left socialist named Barrack Hussein Obama running for president?....Obviously, not all Americans are on the same page.
That would be "democracy" defined as being a Constitutional Republic with individual liberty.
This poll is nonsense as far as the respondants likely equate democracy to a government which rules as they (considering themselves the majority) wish that is would.
Our concept of democracy cannot exist without the concept of free choice. Islam is founded on worldly punishment for sin.
Ask them if they approve of freedom of religion by non-muslims, which encompasses openly defying islamic teaching.
Jesus said, “By their fruits you shall know them.”
Everywhere Conservatism goes there is industry, prosperity, and freedom.
Everywhere Islam is, I see repression, poverty, exploitation.
I’ll keep my opinions, thank you.
7% of a Billion is 7 million. Have we killed enough of them yet? I don't think so.
They interviewed one billion people?
In 50,000 hours?
To know the King’s plans you talk to his soldiers, not the subjects.
93% lied?
“It shows that the overwhelming majority of Muslims condemned the attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001...”
That’s funny.....I don’t recall hearing anything but cricket chirping from the “overwhelming majority” of muslims after 9/11.
Gallup used to be reliable, too...
Amazing that even intelligent, educated Muslims are incapable of seeing that Sharia Law and Democracy are mutually exclusive systems of government.
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