veiled4allah: poll of American attitudes towards Muslims

The Miami Herald reports on the results of a poll on American attitudes towards Muslims:

About one in four Americans holds anti-Muslim views, such as a belief that the religion teaches violence and hatred, according to a survey an Islamic advocacy group released Monday. The survey by the Council on American-Islamic Relations found a majority of Americans hold positive views of Muslims, while a substantial number have no opinion at all...

...The telephone survey of a random sample of 1,000 American adults found that just over one in four people somewhat or strongly agreed with a series of anti-Muslim sentiments including: the Muslim religion teaches violence and hatred (26 percent agreed); Muslims value life less than other people (27 percent agreed); and Muslims want to change the American way of life (29 percent agreed).

More than four in 10 people disagreed with the statements. In each case, nearly 30 percent said they had no opinion.

Large numbers of Americans also hold a variety of favorable views. More than six in 10, for instance, say Muslims have "family-oriented values," and more than half disagreed with the statement, "Muslims are dishonest."

About two in three said they agreed that "the people who use Islam to justify violence are misinterpreting its teachings."

The poll found that people most likely to have negative attitudes were male, white, less educated, politically conservative and living in the South.

Hoping to combat these attitudes, the council plans a "Share Ramadan" project, where it will encourage Muslims to invite others to share an evening meal during the monthlong event. Ramadan begins Oct. 15 or Oct. 16 with the sighting of the first new moon in the next lunar year.

The CAIR site has more details:

Poll results include: * More than one-fourth of survey respondents agreed with stereotypes such as "Muslims teach their children to hate" and "Muslims value life less than other people."
* When asked what comes to mind when they hear "Muslim," 32 percent of respondents made negative comments. Only two percent had a positive response.
* Those with the most negative attitudes toward Islam and Muslims tend to be less-educated white males who are politically conservative.
* General knowledge of Islam is low but the presence of Muslim friends and colleagues drives more enlightened attitudes.
* African-Americans hold more favorable attitudes about Muslims than do whites.
* While half of respondents believed that American Muslims are "cooperating" in the war on terror, 50 percent did not believe that they are actively "condemning" terrorist acts.
* Most Americans believe that the terrorists are misusing the teachings of Islam.
* About half of Americans hold one or more favorable attitudes about Muslims, such as "Muslims have family-oriented values" and "Muslims have contributed to civilization."
* Those who believe they are knowledgeable about Islam tend to have more positive attitudes.

"As a nation that values tolerance and equality, we need to recognize the growing anti-Muslim prejudice in our society and join together as Americans to combat this divisive phenomenon," said CAIR Board Chairman Omar Ahmad. "It is clear from the results of this survey that we have our work cut out for us in terms of educating other Americans about Islam and providing opportunities for positive interactions with the Muslim community."

Ahmad said that CAIR will be encouraging local Muslim communities across the United States to hold open houses for people of other faiths during Ramadan, the Islamic fast that begins in mid-October.

Survey results were based on 1000 telephone interviews conducted by California-based Genesis Research Associates (http://www.genesisresearch.net ) between June 23 and July 2, 2004. Interviewers spoke with a gender-balanced random sample of respondents across the continental United States. Margin of error for the poll (with 95 percent confidence) is +/-3.1 percent.

What's most frustrating for the ordinary Muslim like me is the difficulty of getting the message out. I know in my community, and in many other communities, Muslim organizations frequently hold outreach events, write op-eds and letters to the editor, and take part in interfaith and community events. And a lot of these things are reported in the local news. But somehow it doesn't seem to be able to compete against these overwhelming views that people seem to have.

What do you do when you speak and speak and nobody listens?

Added 10/5: Just to follow up on my claim that there are frequently local events going on, here are two that appeared in the news today: Michigan Daily: Students aim to repair public view of Islam in weeklong program and Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Forum takes aim at negative stereotypes affixed to Muslims.

Update 10/6: Hey, another one today: Binghampton University: Trip to mosque gives students taste of Islam

Update 10/7: Daily Pennsylvanian: Muslim students launch Islam Awareness Week

Update 10/16: Making up for the lull, here are two new stories: Daily Pennsylvanian: Prof discusses interaction of Islam and democracy and CNS News: California Muslims Running Public Education Ads Through Ramadan.

Update 10/18: Daily Princetonian: Muslim-Jewish Dialogue offers forum for non-political discussion

Update 10/22: The Record: Rare Muslim-Jewish student group thrives

Update 10/24: Deseret News: Islamic groups invite public

Update 11/2: Still tracking 'em. The Western Herald: Lecture to clarify women's roles in Islam

Update 11/3: Making up for the recent drought, here's four stories: The Daily: Muslim students host charity dinner tonight, Pioneer Press: Iftar spotlights goals people of faith share, Albuquerque Journal: Local Muslims Counter Misconceptions During Holy Month of Ramadan, and VOA News: Understanding Muslim Opinion

Update 11/8: The Cincinnati Enquirer: Muslims Share Their Tradition

Update 11/9: St. Petersburg Times: Sharing food, faith, Muslims dispel fears and Portsmouth Herald: Muslims, non-Muslims at school take part in fast-a-thon for charity

Update 11/10: US Muslim Effort to Clear Stereotypes on Islam

Update 11/11: Washington Post: In Spirit of Ramadan, Muslims Serve Meals to Homeless

Update 11/12: Salem Observer: High school Muslim group raises more than $1K for soup kitchen

Update 11/22: Back again with Nashua Telegraph: Headscarf Day changes stereotypes and Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Islamic Center sets first open house - Organization hopes to counter negative stereotypes. Plus, from across the pond, The Guardian: Islam Awareness Week - Altering images

Update 11/24: Tampa 10 News: Tampa Muslims to feed needy for Thanksgiving, Times Community: Muslim charity group raises $10,000 for laborers, Stanford Daily: Prof says Quran promotes equality between genders

Update 11/25: St. Petersburg Times: Help reaches across cultures, across town, Washington Times: Muslims warm needy, inside and out
, Bradenton Herald: Catholic, Muslim communities to create awareness

Update 11/26: Sun-Sentinel: Senior Muslim reaches out to Catholics

Update 11/29: News 8 Austin: Islam Post-9/11: Unveiling the face of Islam in Austin, Contra Costa Times: Muslim channel aims at biases, Missourian: SEMO program to focus on Islam

Update 11/30: Kansas City Star: First U.S. Muslim-themed TV channel to hit airwaves, News 8 Austin: Islam Post 9/11: Islamophobia in Austin, Staten Island Advance: Island Pakistani group provides holiday feast for the homeless

Update 12/3: News 8 Austin: Islam Post 9/11: The future of Islam

Update 12/13: After another lull, we're back again. Poughkeepsie Journal: Jewish, Muslim students connect at temple

Update 12/17: Islamic center to host seminar: Event aimed to increase awareness, understanding

Update 12/26: STLtoday: Many Jews and Muslims do volunteer work on Christmas and New York Times: A Muslim Santa's Gift to an Interfaith Group: Free Rent

Update 12/28: Tennessean: Islamic Center class to dispel misconceptions about faith

Update 1/3: Herald Tribune: Muslim youths help at homeless shelter

Update 1/4: Louisiana Weekly: Local Muslims and Jews seek common ground

Update 1/11: Contra Costa Times: Mosque member seeks to inform

Update 1/19: Chicago Sun-Times: Muslims here use Eid feast to help feed area's needy

Update 1/21: The Daily Northwestern: Muslim women confront modern misconceptions

Update 1/24: The Daily Bruin: Muslims hope to educate with awareness week and Hartford Courant: Muslim Chaplain Building Bridges At Trinity

Update 1/26: The Daily Bruin: Lecture looks at Jesus as Islam prophet: Graduate student reveals similarities between religions and Star Tribune: How to say Minnesota Nice in Arabic

Update 1/27: Post-Tribune: Two Islamic scholars speaking at Valparaiso University forum

Update 1/31: KLTV: Muslims, Jews work together to build Habitat house in Tyler

Update 2/1: Toronto Star: Muslim feast boosts food bank

Update 2/4: Washington University Record: 'Gender, Human Rights and Islam' panel discussion and The Wabash Plain Dealer: Muslim peace activist to speak in churches, college students

Update 2/6: Jewish Journal: Rabbis, Imams find common ground

Update 2/7: Corning Leader: Raising Awareness

Update 2/9: The Easterner: Azimova selected to bring Muslim perspective to EWU

Update 2/10: Ithaca Journal: Program set at Cornell helps illustrate Islam

Update 2/14: Newsday: Muslims, Christians reject hate following murder of Jersey City family and Los Angeles Times: A Delicate, Daring Bid to Deepen Interfaith Harmony

Update 2/15: Chico Enterprise-Record: Abraham celebration set, incorporating three faiths

Update 2/16: Asbury Park Press: College hosting talk on women and Islam and Stanford Daily: Events highlight Islamic diversity

Update 2/17: Bradenton Herald: Professor emphasizes Islam's respect for women and Northern Star: Seeking to unify Christians, Muslims

Update 2/19: Daily News: Learning about Islam

Update 2/23: Charlotte Observer: Muslims, Jews, Christians hold monthly gathering

Update 2/24: William and Mary News: Professor traces rights in Islamic law and Harvard Crimson: Hijab makes you no less American

Update 2/25: Utica Observer-Dispatch: Bus ad invites all to learn about Islam

Update 2/28: Daily News: Visiting Muslim professor helps bridge culture gap and Arizona Daily Star: Tucson's Muslims and Jews relish their unity

Update 3/1: Harvard Crimson: Islamic Awareness Week Begins: Speakers highlight ties between African-American and Islamic communities

Update 3/2: Independent: Muslim women offer a glimpse behind the veil

Update 3/9: Michigan Daily: Students join Muslims for 'a day in the life'

Update 3/10: Gazette: Muslim leader is first to lead County Council invocation and Fort Leavenworth Lamp: Army command course students meet with Muslims

Update 3/16: Sterling Heights: Muslim cleric corrects misconceptions about Islam

Update 3/21: The Journal-News: Teachers get lessons on Islam and Arab world, The Sentinel: Local mosque open to all, not just Muslims, and Des Moines Register: Conference tries to dispel myths about Islam

Update 3/22: Canton Daily Ledger: Faiths pray at Peace Pole dedication event

Update 3/23: Temple News: Muslims celebrate culture during Islam Awareness Week

Update 3/25: North Jersey Media Group: The veils are lifted as Muslim women speak and WIS10: Faith Matters: Bantu resettlement leads to Christian,Muslim cooperation

Update 3/29: SMU Daily Campus: MSA educates campus on Islam

Update 3/30: Chicago Tribune: Seniors get look into way of Islam and NT Daily: Islam women speak of their role in society

Update 4/1: Chicago Tribune: Tracing Cultural Face of Islam, Michigan Daily: Muslim women dispel stereotypes about Islamic dress, Daily Texan: ROTC cadets learn about Islam

Update 4/3: Leaf-Chronice: Understanding Islam's impact: Fort Campbell combat team takes classes in world religion

Update 4/4: Sun-Sentinel: S. Florida Jews, Muslims share traditional holiday meal to nurture unity, growth

Update 4/5: Minnesota Daily: Understanding Islamic culture and Stanford Daily: Forum on Islam promotes tolerance

Update 4/7: Daily Trojan: Islam: a religion based on peace, Western Herald: MSA aims to bridge gap between Islam, other faiths, Collegiate Times: Islam Awareness Month kicks off in Squires, Towerlight: Islamic perception relies on 'education'

Update 4/11: Tampa Tribune: Can Islam Be Peaceful And Tolerant?, Washington Post: Md. Muslim Clinic Works to Heal Uninsured Patients -- and Images of Islam, Western Herald: Speaker says Christianity, Islam stem from same ideas, In-Forum News: Muslims making a move into spotlight, Seattle Times: Islamic art exhibit reveals rich history

Update 4/12: Tri-Valley: Muslims hope to change perceptions

Update 4/18: The Exponent: Group raises students' awareness of Islam, MidHudson News: Jews and Muslims initiative a day of community service

Update 4/19: Missourian: Open house educates about Islam, Minnesota Daily: Somali students' event shares culture with campus

Update 4/20: North Jersey Media Group: Lawyer offers course in understanding Islamic faith

Update 4/21: Daily Targum: Society celebrates Islamic life

Update 4/22: Maneater: Islamic Center sponsors open house, Baltimore Jewish Times: Muslims, Jews, Join To Rehab Home, Reporter Magazine: Veiled and Unafraid - Muslim Poetry Slam

Update 4/25: Indianapolis Star: Muslim comic wants to build bridges as he draws laughter

Update 4/28: The Detroit News: Muslim center opens its doors to the public

Update 5/9: Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Catholics, Muslims celebrate connections

Update 5/10: NorthJersey.com: Festival is chance for Turks to educate about their culture

Update 5/12: Billings Gazette: Scholar links Islam with healing

Update 5/13: Sun Chronicle: Leaps of faith

Update 5/16: Cincinnati Enquirer: Kids' books help share Muslim faith

Update 5/20: Detroit Free Press: Mosques reach out to neighbors and the community reaches back, Owings Mills Times: Muslim community: large but invisible, Sun-Sentinel: Reaching out to fellow Americans, Muslim group will hand out Quran

Update 5/24: Charleston Gazette: Islam, Christianity more alike than different, imam says

Update 5/26: The Missourian: Dialogue helps bridge religious and cultural divides, Daily Bulletin: Muslim scholars visit Claremont

Update 6/1: Catholic Courier: Muslim-Catholic agreement hailed, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Finding their voice: Muslim students come of age, spread awareness after Sept. 11 attacks

Update 6/4: Cincinnati Enquirer: Islamic Center women join to make blankets

Update 6/6: Star Press: Geography professor teaches about the world ... of Islam

Update 6/14: The State: Forum takes on religious issues

Update 6/28: Back after a bit of a gap: Times of Oman: Traditions of Oman come alive in US

Update 6/30: News of Delaware County: A look inside Delaware County's largest mosque

Update 7/1: South Bend Tribune: Muslim and Christian women meet to talk about their beliefs

Update 7/8: Courier Journal: Arab-Americans cherish freedom

Update 7/11: Des Moines Register: Islamic Center holds icebreaker, Flint Journal: Center invites all to learn about Islam

Update 7/26: Here are some stories from the past week or two: WISTV: Seminar invites non-Muslims to explore Islamic faith, Orlando Sentinel: Curious hear Muslim explain his 'lifestyle', Community Free Press: Muslims reach out in effort to dispel myths about Islam, Arab traditions. Also, most of the outreach work currently is in condemning terrorism, which is listed elsewhere.

Update 8/13: Mending Fences: Young Muslim-Americans Work to Combat Stereotypes. Again, most of the outreach work is still in condemning terrorism.

Update 8/15: Tennessean: Muslims set out to debunk myths about their faith

Update 8/31: Another update from a several week period: USINFO: Muslim-American Women Find a Voice in American Society, Lexington Herald-Leader: Muslim civil rights leader to speak in Lexington, Los Angeles Times: Dispelling Fears on 'Open Mosque Day', Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Islamic Center hosts mayoral debate, Tidings Online: Conference looks at Muslim, Christian commonalities

Update 9/16: The latest "every couple of weeks" update: Indy Star: Muslims aim to challenge critics in America, Associated Press: Muslim anti-terrorism ads to coincide with 9/11 anniversary, Scoop: Muslims Integrating and Finding Acceptance in US, Lexington Herald-Leader: Christians, Muslims plan joint 9/11 service projects, Sun-Sentinel: Turnpike billboard fights seeks to change perceptions of Muslims, TBO News: Christians, Muslims Worship Together, Cincinnati Enquirer: Local Muslims take active roles in communities, Daily Breeze: Muslims seek to demystify religion in 'post 9-11' world, Des Moines Register: Drake conference gives 'human face' to Islam, Voice of America: Muslim Leaders Confront Terrorism

Update 10/13: For the last month. Hartford Courant: Our Turn, Toledo Blade: Imam tells Muslims to explain their faith, Lansing State Journal: East Lansing Islamic fair helps visitors understand Muslim life, Herald Tribune: U.S. Muslim leaders are preaching against violence, Stars and Stripes: Ramstein center is Air Force's first designated Jewish-Muslim prayer space, The South End: Muslim students find places for prayer on campus, Cincinnati Enquirer: Muslims offer free hot meals, In These Times: Ready for Dialogue, St. Petersburg Times: October brings union of faiths, celebration, Burlington Union: Muslims reach out, reflect on plight of disaster victims during Ramadan, Detroit Free Press: TOGETHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS: 3 faiths celebrate in metro Detroit, Huntsville Times: Calendars bring together important Jewish, Muslim days of faith, Huntsville Times: Month of prayer much more than fast for Muslims, Tampa Tribune: Muslims Seek Better Ties With Americans, The Rake: Who Are the American Muslims?, NBC4: Questions And Answers About Ramadan, Green Bay Press-Gazette: Prayer, charity add to Islamic fasting holiday, Toledo Blade: Helping needy stressed at Ramadan, Indianapolis Star: Praying for God's mercy on all of us, Wichita Eagle: Holy times for Judaism, Islam, Indianapolis Star: Muslims turn eyes to sky to start Ramadan, Daily News: Local Muslims prepare for holy month of Ramadan, Argus Leader: Muslims ready to mark month of Ramadan, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: In Rare Moment, Muslim, Jewish Holidays Coincide, Detroit News: Muslims purify themselves during Ramadan, Tampa Tribune: Muslims And Jews See A Chance For Goodwill, Star Tribune: Muslims, Jews sampling each others' faiths, Baltimore Jewish Times: UMBC Jews, Muslims, Join For Food Program, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Joy of Ramadan heartens area's Muslims, Rocky Mountain News: United in their beliefs, Asbury Park Press: Fasting has spiritual meaning for Muslims, Sun-Sentinel: Young Muslims feed faith during Ramadan in S. Florida, Jackson Sun: Islamic students seek resolution against terrorism, Seattle Post-Intelligencer: A look at American Muslim history, New American Media: Muslim Americans Call for Renaissance in Islam, Trinity Tripod: Ramadan: Celebrate the Quran, The Argus: Mosques reach out to non-Muslims, San Francisco Chronicle: Fasting is part of holidays for Jews, Muslims and Christians, Sacramento Bee: Faiths share holy month, Daily Texan: Ramadan connects Islamic faithful, WVLT: Islamic students at UTM get resolution opposing terrorism, New York Newsday: Islamic women's groups proliferating, Daily Aztec: Women and Islam: the real deal, The Missourian: Potluck attempts to unite Jews, Muslims, The Advocate: Local Islamic centers aid hurricane evacuees, Birmingham News: Muslim athletes adapt to on-field Christian culture, KTUU: Muslim holy month under way, Daily Aztec: Students can get a feel for events celebrating Ramadan, Post-Gazette: For Muslim converts, Ramadan offers a chance to gather with others of Islamic faith, Waco Tribune-Herald: Baylor students get glimpse of Ramadan, Columbia Spectator: Religion, Culture Mix at Itfar Dinner, Denver Post: Jewish, Muslim congregations exploring common threads, Hartford Courant: Spreading The Koran