Survey Details 'Deep' Divide Between Muslims, Westerners
The Washington Post ^ | 06/23/2006 | By Delphine Schrank
washingtonpost.com
A "deep attitudinal divide" exists between Western and Muslim publics, with Muslims in the Middle East, Asia and Africa more critical of Westerners than vice versa, according to a survey released today. But attitudes are not monolithic, the study found, and a "middle ground" is particularly apparent among European Muslims.
Muslims and non-Muslims interviewed in 13 countries converge on few issues, but they agree that relations between Muslims and Westerners are bad, according to the survey by the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization.
"The most salient findings include the extent to which Muslims have an aggrieved view of the West, and Westerners are skeptical and wary of Muslim values," said Andrew Kohut, the center's president.
People polled in six predominantly Muslim countries -- Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Nigeria -- blame Westerners for the strain in ties and mostly see Americans and Europeans as selfish, arrogant, immoral and greedy, with opinions of the West and its people worsening over the last year, the survey found. In turn, majorities among non-Muslims polled in most Western countries see Muslims as fanatical and lacking in tolerance. |
