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Los Angeles - September 26, 2007
New PEW survey:
Attitude toward Muslims grows more negative
By Theo Milonopoulos
WASHINGTON — Most Americans say they know little to nothing about the practices of Islam and Mormonism but say their own religious beliefs have little in common with either of these faiths, according to a national survey released Tuesday.
Forty-five percent of those polled said Islam was more likely than other religions to encourage violence among its believers. Nearly 1 in 3 respondents say Mormonism is not a Christian religion, the report said.
The survey of 3,002 Americans was conducted last month by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
Although 58% of respondents said they knew little or nothing about Islamic practices, 70% of non-Muslims said Islam was very different from their own religious beliefs.
The survey found that public attitudes toward Muslims have grown more negative in recent years, with 35% of respondents expressing an unfavorable view. In 2002, the figure was 29%. Respondents who knew a Muslim or who were college graduates were more likely to express positive views about Islam.
But the belief that Islam encourages violence has increased even among groups that have relatively favorable views of Muslims. According to the survey, college graduates are just as likely as those with no college experience to associate violence with Islam.
"We're not surprised," said Safaa Ibrahim, executive director of the Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "It's difficult to remove the tarnish of twisted interpretations of terrorists from what Islam means."….
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-religion26sep26,1,7891109.story
U.S. News &World Report - September 27, 2007
GOP Urged to Cite 'Islamic Terrorists'
Pollsters and communications advisers to congressional Republicans are urging lawmakers not to follow President Bush's lead when it comes to talking about terrorists and the threat they pose to the nation.
While Bush has lightened up on using the word "Islamic" in front of terrorists, the advisers said on background that the word should always be used because Americans believe that "Islamics" are those who act on terrorist threats. Words to avoid are "Muslim," "extremist," and "radicals."
One adviser, who was part of two closed-door briefings by the consultants to GOP congressional members and aides over the past two weeks, said most Americans polled are not threatened by "Muslims" and that the words "extremist" and "radical" conjure up an image of people who make threats but don't follow through with them. "People believe terrorists act, so we should be using that instead of extremist or radicals. Calling the threat 'an Islamic terrorist' or 'al Qaeda' works better than 'Muslim radical,'" said the consultant.
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/news-desk/2007/9/27/gop-urged-to-cite-islamic-terrorists.html
September 28, 2007
South California Imams use Friday
sermons to condemn terrorism
In a coordinated move, on September 28, imams (prayer leaders) of a number of Southern California’s largest mosques denounced terrorism during their Friday “khutbas,” or sermons. The imams reiterated the need for Muslims in America and abroad to stand on the side of justice and peace, and against violence.
“Too often, Islamic sermons condemning terrorism receive little or no attention, leading to the misperception that mosques are places that breed religious extremism,” said Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, religious director of the Islamic Center of Orange County and the chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California.
“The month of Ramadan provides an excellent opportunity for us to come together and give a united voice to the peaceful teachings promulgated by Islam and to share a message of goodwill with our friends and neighbors throughout the Southland.”
Speaking to thousands of worshippers, the imams’ Ramadan message stressed respect for the sanctity of life, rejection of violence and encouraged worshipers to act as agents of peace and goodwill in their local communities.
The imams also called on Muslims to reach out to their neighbors and co-workers to build friendships and promote mutual understanding during Ramadan and throughout the year.
"We applaud this positive initiative by the imams and hope that such coordinated efforts will spread around the nation and the world,” said Munira Syeda, communications coordinator for the Greater Los Angeles Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
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