2010-08-23-皮尤-Public_Remains_Conflicted_Over_Islam_10页_129kb

Summary

The poll found continuing declines in favorable opinions of Islam since 2005 (30% favorable in 2010 vs 41% in 2005). Views on Islam's association with violence remain largely unchanged.

Significant political and demographic divides exist:

• Partisanship: Republicans held the most unfavorable views of Islam (54%) and were overwhelmingly opposed to building a mosque near ground zero (74%).
• Demographics: Age and education correlated with views; support for mosques, positive views of Islam, and opposition to restrictions were generally higher among younger people and college graduates.

On the specific NYC mosque issue, while the public opposed construction by 51% to 34%, a majority (62%) supported Muslims' right to build mosques, with Republicans (42%) being the only group significantly favoring local restrictions.

There was little change in Americans' knowledge about Islam (55% still knowing little) or in their likelihood of knowing a Muslim person (41%) compared to previous surveys. Views on mosque building fluctuated sharply between Democrats (more supportive in 2009, less in 2010) but consistently favored building across other demographic groups except Republicans.