Westerners, Muslims consider each other violent, fanatical: poll

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Westerners, Muslims consider each other violent, fanatical: poll

New York, June 26 (IANS) Many in the West see Muslims as fanatical and violent while Muslims in the Middle East and Asia generally see Westerners as selfish, immoral, greedy as well as violent and fanatical, says a survey.

The survey by Pew Global Attitudes Project, conducted among roughly 14,000 people in 13 nations, including India, reveals that people in predominantly Muslim nations blame Western policies for their own lack of prosperity. It also notes that generally Muslims feel much more embittered towards people in the West than vice versa.

The poll also indicates that the majority in Muslim countries that have fairly strong ties with the US - like Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan and Turkey - do not believe Arabs carried out the 9/11 attacks in the US.

It shows that Westerners are broadly sceptical of Muslim values. Many of them, including in Germany and Spain, feel there is a conflict between being a devout Muslim and living in a modern society. It also points out that Westerners are less optimistic about the prospects for democracy in the Muslim world than are Muslims themselves.

The survey reveals that Muslim support for terrorism has declined. It says in Jordan, Pakistan and Indonesia, there have been substantial declines in the percentages saying suicide bombings and other forms of violence against civilian targets can be justified to defend Islam against its enemies.

It also indicates that Westerners, by lopsided margins, do not think of Muslims as 'respectful of women' while Muslims in predominantly Muslim countries feel the same about Westerners.

'Perhaps no issue highlights the divide between Muslims and the West more clearly than their responses to the uproar this past winter over cartoon depictions of Muhammad,' the report of the survey released June 22 says.

'Muslim publics blame the controversy on Western nations' disrespect for the Islamic religion. In contrast, majorities of Americans and Western Europeans more often say Muslims' intolerance to different points of view is more to blame,' it adds.

Pew conducted the survey from March 31-May 14 in Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Spain, Turkey and the US.

A non-profit organisation, Pew serves the public interest by providing information, advancing policy solutions and supporting civic life.

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Westerners, Muslims consider each other violent, fanatical: poll