THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THAT MUSLIMS ARE FAILING TO COMBAT EXTREMISM. DATE 3RD MARCH 2008 POLLING DATE 17TH MARCH 23RD MARCH 2008
Methodology The research was conducted using our online panel of 102,000+ respondents Respondents from across the region were invited to participate. A total of 960 respondents completed the interview The interview was approximately 10 minutes long Fieldwork was conducted over the course of one week; 17th 23rd March 2008 2
Executive Summary: Definition & Perception Intolerance of other religious beliefs and the use / advocation of violence are the primary definitions of religious extremism. The Levant places less significance on violence (48%) relative to the GCC (57%) and North Africa (65%) Religious leaders are held principally responsible for the fight against extremism (34%). Significantly, 24% of the total believe that ordinary Muslims are responsible more than Muslim governments (19%) or the international community (9%) This latter view is especially pronounced among the under 30s Religious leaders and ordinary Muslims are commended most for their performance against extremism. The international community is most criticised: only 21% are satisfied with their performance More than 1 in 2 hold poor religious leadership / misguided use of the holy scriptures as responsible for religious extremism. Those in the Levant place most importance on Western intervention in Muslim countries 3
Executive Summary: Action Against Injustice 8 in 10 feel that ordinary Muslims should take action in instances where they see injustice against fellow Muslims, particularly in the Levant The preferred action is highlighting the cause in the media. Violence is advocated by 3% However, despite only 3% advocating violence, 6 in 10 believe violence is legitimate if a Western country interfered in a Muslim country A further 55% would deem it appropriate in the instance of offensive words / behaviour (e.g. Danish cartoons) 7 in 10 believe that Islamic extremism is exaggerated 8 in 10 believe it provides an excuse for Western countries to interfere in Muslim countries 4
Executive Summary: Personal Experience Orthodox centres are the primary source of guidance on religion. This is particularly the case in North Africa and among the over 40s The Levant is notable for placing more importance on personal judgement (37% compared to 22% in North Africa and 17% in the GCC) 35% believe that Saudi Arabia is the country most at risk from extremism Of those who believe their own country is threatened, Iraqis are most fearful (66%) followed by Algerians (30%) 46% believe they have encountered someone who holds extreme religious views Those in the Levant are 23% more likely to have encountered someone with extremist views than the GCC and 15% more likely than those in North Africa 5
Demographics 6
Definition & Perception 7
Meaning of Extremism How would you define religious extremism? [Please select all that apply] Base: Total 960 The use / advocation of violence and intolerance of other religious beliefs are the two principal definitions of extremism. The Levant places less significance on violence than either the GCC or North Africa. 8
Responsibility of Fight In your opinion, the fight against Islamic extremism is the responsibility of: [Please select one response] Religious leaders are seen as principally responsible for the fight against religious extremism. However, a significant minority believe that ordinary Muslims hold responsibility more so than Muslim governments or the international community. This view is especially pronounced among the under 30s. Base: Total 960 9
Success of Fight How would you rate the performance of the following people / groups in combating Islamic extremism? Total % GCC % North Africa % Levant % Group / Organisation Positive Very Satisfactory / Satisfactory) Negative Very Unsatisfactor y / Unsatisfactor y) Positive Very Satisfactor y / Satisfactor y) Negative Very Unsatisfac tory / Unsatisfac tory) Positive Very Satisfactor y / Satisfactor y) Negative Very Unsatisfac tory / Unsatisfac tory) Positive (Very Satisfactor y / Satisfactor y) Negative Very Unsatisfac tory / Unsatisfac tory) Ordinary Muslims 42 48 45 45 39 50 38 53 Muslim Governments 38 53 44 49 34 56 30 60 Religious leaders 43 48 46 44 44 45 34 59 Security forces 33 51 40 45 22 61 32 55 The international community 21 65 21 65 20 65 22 65 Base: Total 960 Overwhelmingly, the international community is deemed least successful in the fight against extremism. The performance of religious leaders and ordinary Muslims is most commended. 10
Reasons for Extremism To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements as EXPLANATIONS for Islamic extremism? Total GCC North Africa Levant Reason Agree Agree / Agree) Disagree Disagree / Disagree) Agree Agree / Agree) Disagree Disagree / Disagree) Agree Agree / Agree) Disagree Disagree / Disagree) Agree Agree / Agree) Disagree Disagree / Disagree) Western interference in Muslim countries Authoritarian rule in Muslim countries Misguided use of the holy scriptures Intolerance between the two main Islamic sects (Sunni and Shia) Islamic intolerance of other religions 51 43 51 43 47 48 57 38 52 42 47 44 50 45 63 33 54 39 52 41 58 40 59 38 39 49 44 43 33 51 35 58 13 78 14 76 14 81 15 78 Poor religious leadership 54 37 48 39 54 39 67 27 A desire to create an Islamic state (caliphate) 44 44 43 43 44 44 47 46 Poverty 48 41 45 44 48 40 56 36 Base: Total 960 Poor religious leadership / misguided use of the holy scriptures are seen as the principal cause of extremism, followed 11 by authoritarian rule in Muslim countries. Within the Levant there is a higher propensity towards blaming Western intervention.
Legitimating Violence 12
Action Against Injustice In instances where you see injustice against Muslims, do you think that ordinary Muslims should take action against those responsible for the injustice(s)? [Please select one response] Base: Total 960 More than 8 in 10 would advocate action by ordinary Muslims in the event of a perceived injustice. This is particularly the case in the Levant. As is often the case with sensitive topics, the GCC shows more reticence. 13
Action Against Injustice What type of 'action' would you deem appropriate? [Please select one response] GCC 61% North Africa 52% Levant 52% Highlighting Cause In the Media 56% Peaceful Protest Demonstrations 28% GCC 23% North Africa 35% Levant 29% GCC 3% North Africa 1% Levant 3% Violence 3% Base: Those who would advocate action: 786 Nearly 6 in 10 favour highlighting the cause in the media as appropriate action. North Africa is far more likely to advocate peaceful protest demonstrations than either the GCC or Levant. 14
Reasons for Violence Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements as LEGITIMATE reasons for violence? Total GCC North Africa Levant Reason Agree Agree / Agree) Disagree Disagree / Disagree) Agree Agree / Agree) Disagree Disagree / Disagree) Agree Agree / Agree) Disagree Disagree / Disagree) Agree Agree / Agree) Disagree Disagree / Disagree) Aggressive military action by a government against its own people Intervention by a Western country in a Muslim country Intervention by another Muslim country Behaviour / words that are offensive to the Islamic faith, e.g. Danish cartoons 44 48 42 47 43 52 49 48 59 36 60 34 58 39 60 37 40 52 36 54 40 52 48 50 55 40 56 38 52 44 56 42 Violence is never justified 52 39 54 37 45 47 58 35 Base: Total 960 While half believe that violence is never justified, 6 in 10 believe that Western intervention in a Muslim country legitimates violent action. 15
Extremism Exaggerated? Do you think that Islamic extremism is exaggerated? [Please select one response] Base: Total 960 The vast majority believe that Islamic extremism is exaggerated. 16
Reasons for Exaggeration To what extent do you agree with the following statements as reasons for WHY Islamic extremism is exaggerated? It provides an excuse for Western countries to interfere in the Muslim world however they want It serves the interests of dictatorial regimes in Muslim countries that want to stop Islamists taking over Base: Those who believe extremism is exaggerated 683 With 8 in 10 believing that this exaggeration is the product of Western interest. However, among the over 40s more blame is attributed to authoritarian Muslim countries. 17
Personal Experience 18
Islamic Teaching Where do you take your religious guidance on important decisions? [Please select all that apply] Base: Total 960 Orthodox centres are the primary source of guidance on religion, particularly in North Africa and the over 40s. The Levant is notable for a higher proportion who rely more on personal judgement 19
Countries at Risk In your opinion, the country that faces the biggest challenge from Muslim extremists is: [Please select one response] Base: Total 960 Saudi Arabia is the country deemed most at threat from extremism. Of those believe their own country is at threat, Iraqis are by far the most fearful, followed by Algerians. 20
Mecca & Medina How satisfied are you with the way Saudi Arabia administers Mecca and Medina? [Please select one response] Base: Total 960 Those in North Africa and the under 30s are least satisfied the administration of Mecca and Medina. 21
Experience In your everyday life, have you ever encountered anyone who holds 'extreme' religious views? [Please select one response] Base: Total 960 Those in the Levant are more likely to have encountered someone holding extreme religious views 22