ABC News/Washington Post Poll on US Views of Islam: Key Trends
ABC News/Washington Post Poll on US Views of Islam: Key Trends
Gary Langer, Anthony Cordesman, Center for International and Strategic Studies, April 21, 2009
The results of this poll are summarized in graphic form in a new report from the Burke Chair, along a summary analysis by Gary Langer of the ABC News polling unit. These data show that the number of Americans with unfavorable attitudes towards Islam continue to rise, but that Americans are relatively evenly split in their attitudes – with 41% favorable and 48% unfavorable.
The analysis by Gary Langer also concludes that, “The broad relationship between knowledge and sentiment, however, is positive. Overall, people who feel they understand Islam, or who have a Muslim friend, are 22 points more apt to view the religion favorably and 17 points more apt to see it as peaceful, compared with those who lack a basic understanding or a friend who’s Muslim.”
Moreover, “An overwhelming 81 percent of Americans in this poll call it important for Obama to try to improve U.S. relations with Muslim nations; 46 percent say it’s “very important.” While slightly more than one in five express concern that he’ll “go too far” in that effort, most by far, 65 percent, expect him to handle it about right.”
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