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44% of Americans Back Limits on Muslims' Rights: Poll
CAIRO, December 18 (IslamOnline.net) – A new nation-wide poll showed that a major section of the American society believes fellow Muslim citizens pose a national threat and supports curbing Muslims’ civil rights and monitoring their places of worship.
The survey, conducted by the Cornell University and posted on its Web site, found that at least 44 percent of the respondents believed that American Muslims “are a threat and their civil liberties should be curtailed,” by the authorities.
The poll, based on telephone interviews with 715 people across the US, revealed that 27 percent of respondents wanted Muslim citizens to register their location with the federal government.
It further indicated that 26 percent believed mosques should be “closely monitored” by federal law enforcement agencies.
“Twenty-nine percent agreed that undercover law enforcement agents should infiltrate Muslim civic and volunteer organizations, in order to keep tabs on their activities and fund raising,” according to the survey.
It said that about 22 percent of the respondents believed the federal authorities should profile citizens as potential threats “based on the fact that they are Muslim or have Middle Eastern heritage.”
Amnesty International said that racial profiling by US law enforcement agencies had grown over the past years to cover one in nine Americans, mostly targeting Muslims.
The poll, however, indicated that 48 percent of respondents said they do not believe that civil liberties for Muslim Americans should be restricted, the university website said.
A May report released by the US Senate Office Of Research concluded that the Muslim community took the brunt of the Patriot Act against terrorism and other federal powers applied in the aftermath of the9 / 11deadly attacks.
On July1 , agents raided an Islamic institute in Northern Virginia, with no reasons cited, a move seen by an American Muslim civil rights group as a "new fishing expedition".
Religiosity
The survey also examined the relation of religiosity to perceptions of Islam and Islamic countries among Christian respondents.
It found that Republicans and people who described themselves as highly religious were staunch supporters of curtailing Muslims’ civil liberties than Democrats or people who are less religious.
Sixty-five percent of self-described highly religious people saw Islam as “encouraging violence” more than other religions do.
In addition, highly religious respondents also were more likely to describe Islamic countries as violent ( 64percent), fanatical (61 percent) and dangerous ( 64percent).
Conservative Christian groups have rocked the US presidential vote in favor of President George W Bush, US experts and analysts said after Bush’s reelection.
Immediately after the results became apparent, many leaders of Christian groups were quick to claim credit for the Bush victory and pledged to press ahead with their agenda, particularly the so-called “war on terrorism.”
Religion took a center stage in the US presidential elections with Bush’s frequent use of religious imagery in speeches and Democrat challenger John Kerry’s resort to the Bible in his campaign addresses.
During his first term in office, Bush granted federal funds to many US hardline religious organizations, including the group of televangelist Pat Robertson who repeatedly gave anti-Islam remarks and insulted Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Media Factor
The survey also showed a correlation between television news-viewing habits, a respondent's fear level and attitudes toward restrictions on civil liberties.
Respondents who paid a lot of attention to television news were more likely to favor restrictions on civil liberties, such as greater power for the government to monitor the Internet.
“The more attention paid to television news, the more you fear terrorism, and you are more likely to favor restrictions on civil liberties,” said Erik Nisbet, a senior Cornell research associate.
James Shanahan, Cornell associate professor of communication and a principal investigator in the study, said the results “highlight the need for continued dialogue about issues of civil liberties in time of war.”
He said the findings underline that “personal religiosity as well as exposure to news media are two important correlates of support for restrictions.
“We need to explore why these two very important channels of discourse may nurture fear rather than understanding.”
http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2004-12/18/article03.shtml
The poll, based on telephone interviews with 715 people across the US, revealed that 27 percent of respondents wanted Muslim citizens to register their location with the federal government.
It further indicated that 26 percent believed mosques should be “closely monitored” by federal law enforcement agencies.
“Twenty-nine percent agreed that undercover law enforcement agents should infiltrate Muslim civic and volunteer organizations, in order to keep tabs on their activities and fund raising,” according to the survey.
It said that about 22 percent of the respondents believed the federal authorities should profile citizens as potential threats “based on the fact that they are Muslim or have Middle Eastern heritage.”
Amnesty International said that racial profiling by US law enforcement agencies had grown over the past years to cover one in nine Americans, mostly targeting Muslims.
The poll, however, indicated that 48 percent of respondents said they do not believe that civil liberties for Muslim Americans should be restricted, the university website said.
A May report released by the US Senate Office Of Research concluded that the Muslim community took the brunt of the Patriot Act against terrorism and other federal powers applied in the aftermath of the9 / 11deadly attacks.
On July1 , agents raided an Islamic institute in Northern Virginia, with no reasons cited, a move seen by an American Muslim civil rights group as a "new fishing expedition".
Religiosity
The survey also examined the relation of religiosity to perceptions of Islam and Islamic countries among Christian respondents.
It found that Republicans and people who described themselves as highly religious were staunch supporters of curtailing Muslims’ civil liberties than Democrats or people who are less religious.
Sixty-five percent of self-described highly religious people saw Islam as “encouraging violence” more than other religions do.
In addition, highly religious respondents also were more likely to describe Islamic countries as violent ( 64percent), fanatical (61 percent) and dangerous ( 64percent).
Conservative Christian groups have rocked the US presidential vote in favor of President George W Bush, US experts and analysts said after Bush’s reelection.
Immediately after the results became apparent, many leaders of Christian groups were quick to claim credit for the Bush victory and pledged to press ahead with their agenda, particularly the so-called “war on terrorism.”
Religion took a center stage in the US presidential elections with Bush’s frequent use of religious imagery in speeches and Democrat challenger John Kerry’s resort to the Bible in his campaign addresses.
During his first term in office, Bush granted federal funds to many US hardline religious organizations, including the group of televangelist Pat Robertson who repeatedly gave anti-Islam remarks and insulted Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Media Factor
The survey also showed a correlation between television news-viewing habits, a respondent's fear level and attitudes toward restrictions on civil liberties.
Respondents who paid a lot of attention to television news were more likely to favor restrictions on civil liberties, such as greater power for the government to monitor the Internet.
“The more attention paid to television news, the more you fear terrorism, and you are more likely to favor restrictions on civil liberties,” said Erik Nisbet, a senior Cornell research associate.
James Shanahan, Cornell associate professor of communication and a principal investigator in the study, said the results “highlight the need for continued dialogue about issues of civil liberties in time of war.”
He said the findings underline that “personal religiosity as well as exposure to news media are two important correlates of support for restrictions.
“We need to explore why these two very important channels of discourse may nurture fear rather than understanding.”
http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2004-12/18/article03.shtml
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Nearly half of all Americans believe the US government should restrict the civil liberties of Muslim Americans, according to a nationwide poll.
The survey conducted by Cornell University also found that Republicans and people who described themselves as highly religious were more apt to support curtailing Muslims' civil liberties than Democrats or people who are less religious.
Researchers also found that respondents who paid more attention to television news were more likely to fear terrorist attacks and support limiting the rights of Muslim Americans.
"It's sad news. It's disturbing news. But it's not unpredictable," said Mahdi Bray, executive director of the Muslim American Society. "The nation is at war, even if it's not a traditional war. We just have to remain vigilant and continue to interface."
Restrictions imposed?
The survey found 44% favoured at least some restrictions on the civil liberties of Muslim Americans. Forty-eight per cent said liberties should not be restricted in any way.
The survey indicated that 27% of respondents supported requiring all Muslim Americans to register where they lived with the federal government.
Twenty-two per cent favoured racial profiling to identify potential terrorist threats. And 29% thought undercover agents should infiltrate Muslim civic and volunteer organisations to keep checks on their activities and fundraising.
Cornell student researchers questioned 715 people in the nationwide telephone poll conducted this autumn. The margin of error was 3.6 percentage points.
Civil liberties debate
James Shanahan, an associate professor of communications who helped organise the survey, said the results indicate "the need for continued dialogue about issues of civil liberties" in a time of war.
While researchers said they were not surprised by the overall level of support for curtailing civil liberties, they were startled by the correlation with religion and exposure to television news.
"We need to explore why these two very important channels of discourse may nurture fear rather than understanding," Shanahan said.
According to the survey, 37% believe a terrorist attack in the United States is still likely within the next 12 months. In a similar poll conducted by Cornell in November 2002, that number stood at 90%.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FFB44CD0-7CFA-4D50-B4BF-D404AA073923.htm
The survey conducted by Cornell University also found that Republicans and people who described themselves as highly religious were more apt to support curtailing Muslims' civil liberties than Democrats or people who are less religious.
Researchers also found that respondents who paid more attention to television news were more likely to fear terrorist attacks and support limiting the rights of Muslim Americans.
"It's sad news. It's disturbing news. But it's not unpredictable," said Mahdi Bray, executive director of the Muslim American Society. "The nation is at war, even if it's not a traditional war. We just have to remain vigilant and continue to interface."
Restrictions imposed?
The survey found 44% favoured at least some restrictions on the civil liberties of Muslim Americans. Forty-eight per cent said liberties should not be restricted in any way.
The survey indicated that 27% of respondents supported requiring all Muslim Americans to register where they lived with the federal government.
Twenty-two per cent favoured racial profiling to identify potential terrorist threats. And 29% thought undercover agents should infiltrate Muslim civic and volunteer organisations to keep checks on their activities and fundraising.
Cornell student researchers questioned 715 people in the nationwide telephone poll conducted this autumn. The margin of error was 3.6 percentage points.
Civil liberties debate
James Shanahan, an associate professor of communications who helped organise the survey, said the results indicate "the need for continued dialogue about issues of civil liberties" in a time of war.
While researchers said they were not surprised by the overall level of support for curtailing civil liberties, they were startled by the correlation with religion and exposure to television news.
"We need to explore why these two very important channels of discourse may nurture fear rather than understanding," Shanahan said.
According to the survey, 37% believe a terrorist attack in the United States is still likely within the next 12 months. In a similar poll conducted by Cornell in November 2002, that number stood at 90%.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FFB44CD0-7CFA-4D50-B4BF-D404AA073923.htm
Who's next?
Will they be forced to sew little gold crescents on all their clothing?
(among other things), getting over the need to express any antireligious sentiment, which is harder than it looks when you're used to dissing it. and the tolerance of a certain amount of gender segregation.
bare minimums.palestinian flag waving? not so important. definitely sticks out in a crowd.
think you're ready? do some reading first, and practice by hanging around with people you disagree with, without correcting a single thing anyone says or does. then go for it.
best of luck. Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God, and His blessings.
bare minimums.palestinian flag waving? not so important. definitely sticks out in a crowd.
think you're ready? do some reading first, and practice by hanging around with people you disagree with, without correcting a single thing anyone says or does. then go for it.
best of luck. Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God, and His blessings.
it's already begun. muslims will be required to sow little amerikan flags on their clothes not crescents. i ordered pizza in dc on sept. 10th, the owner was muslim and had the Qur'an proudly displayed. the next day i went back for another slice of pizza, on september 11th, the Qur'an was gone and an American flag was now on display. I saw this repeated again and again.
I was interogated by a Joint Task Force on Terrorism as a terrorist suspect, my friends questioned as well, because i publicly stated I was a Muslim and believed the US was an imperialist power. Some of my pacifist sufi freinds had their home raided by the FBI because they were monitoring their purchases, so when they purchased large barrels for rain water, the government assumed it was for making fuel bombs, their crime was they were Muslim.
I have left the US and hopefully will never return.
Good Bye America. May you find a real way out of your problems beside more killing and hatred.
I was interogated by a Joint Task Force on Terrorism as a terrorist suspect, my friends questioned as well, because i publicly stated I was a Muslim and believed the US was an imperialist power. Some of my pacifist sufi freinds had their home raided by the FBI because they were monitoring their purchases, so when they purchased large barrels for rain water, the government assumed it was for making fuel bombs, their crime was they were Muslim.
I have left the US and hopefully will never return.
Good Bye America. May you find a real way out of your problems beside more killing and hatred.
Good riddance, Salim. Hope the door didn't hit you on the ass on your way out.
barely made a dent. Despite all of that activity, Bush still said today: 2004 has been a year of "substantial progress at home and abroad,"
He was holding his 14th news conference ever in 4 years. Clinton held them all the time, but Bush holds them only every few months because he tends to screw up.
He was holding his 14th news conference ever in 4 years. Clinton held them all the time, but Bush holds them only every few months because he tends to screw up.
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