AllahPundit at HotAir posts some results of a recent Pew Research Poll of Muslims and non-Muslims around the world.

Non-Muslim Opinion of Muslims

Interestingly, majorities of the public in the U.S., Germany, the UK and Russia were sympathetic to the Muslim rioters in France who lit the French suburbs on fire last Summer. Now, I'll admit it's probably a good thing I don't have a button in my house that could automatically start a fire somewhere in France, because there are probably those times I'd be tempted to use it. On the other hand, I have little sympathy for anyone who moves into another country as an invited guest and then complains about the conditions. I have zero sympathy for any immigrant who'd turn to violence.

Predictably, UK public opinion of immigrants is down from last year before the 7/7 bombings, but it is up as compared to 2002. Oddly, French public opinion is more favorable to Middle Eastern and North African immigrants now than it was a year ago, despite the recent cartoon controversy and the immigrant riots last year. Similarly, 46% of the French public was sympathetic to the rioters. Let me get this straight: someone came to your country, with your permission, and then lit the place on fire, and you're OK with this? Are the French just masochists? Do they really loathe themselves that much? Do they suffer from some bizarre nationwide form of Stockholm Syndrome? I really don't get it.

Distinct from Society vs. Adopting National Customs

52% of German Muslims opined that Muslims in their country want to "be distinct from society" as compared to 30% who believed that German Muslims want to "adopt national customs." Substantial majorities in France and Spain believed that Muslims in those countries prefer to adopt national customs.

Muslims First, Citizens Second

Not surprisingly, the vast majority of Muslims living in the UK, Spain and Germany (81%, 69% and 68%, respectively) considered themselves Muslims first and citizens second. On the other hand, 39% of Indonesian Muslims considered themselves citizens first and Muslims second, compared to 36% who had the opposite view.

Somewhat surprisingly, 48% of Christians in the U.S. considered themselves U.S. citizens first and Christians second, as compared to 42% who saw it the other way around. My guess is most of the 48% are the type who only darken the church door for weddings and funerals.

Distinct Muslim Identity

Substantial majorities of non-Muslims in the UK, Russia, Spain, Germany and even France believed that a rising Muslim identity was a bad thing. Substantial majorities of Muslims in the UK, Spain and France thought it was a good thing.

Overall, the poll sheds some light on Muslim and non-Muslim attitudes in Europe. Unfortunately, the questions asked were pretty vague. As such, it's tough to draw many hard conclusions from the results. I still can't get past the fact that almost half of the French were sympathetic to the rioters.

Posted by: Ragnar at 01:17 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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