Widespread Muslim Skepticism of US as Democracy Advocate

Despite continuous assurances that the United States favors democratic rule during the 18-month-old “Arab Spring,” majorities or pluralities in six predominantly Muslim countries see Washington as an obstacle to their democratic aspirations, according to a new survey released Tuesday. Indeed, Saudi Arabia is generally seen as a stronger advocate of democracy than the U.S. in … Continue reading “Widespread Muslim Skepticism of US as Democracy Advocate”

US Muslims Upbeat Despite Scrutiny Since 9/11

Despite increased public scrutiny since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and well-funded campaigns promoting Islamophobia, U.S. Muslims express a significantly higher level of satisfaction with their lives, their local communities, and the country’s general direction than does the public at large, according to a major new survey released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center. The survey, … Continue reading “US Muslims Upbeat Despite Scrutiny Since 9/11”

Muslims Smash Right-Wing Stereotypes

Of the many revelations and questions still unresolved following the recent riots in Britain, a novel yet not altogether surprising thread has emerged but has hardly been noticed by the mainstream media: These riots were not dominated, driven nor taken advantage of by angry, ghettoized, Shariah-demanding Islamists. Much to the chagrin, we can assume, of … Continue reading “Muslims Smash Right-Wing Stereotypes”

US Muslims More Tolerant, Opposed to Violence Than Other Faiths

Muslims in the United States express greater tolerance for members of other faiths than any other major religious group, according to a major new survey and report released Thursday by the Abu Dhabi Gallup Center. They are also more likely than any other religious group to oppose violent or military attacks against civilians, according to … Continue reading “US Muslims More Tolerant, Opposed to Violence Than Other Faiths”

Obama Faces Mounting Arab Disillusionment

On the eve of a much-anticipated address by President Barack Obama on U.S. policy in the Middle East, a new survey suggests that disillusionment with both Obama and Washington’s approaches to the region are once again on the rise throughout the Muslim world. The survey by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project (GAP) found … Continue reading “Obama Faces Mounting Arab Disillusionment”

Where Did All the Fatwas Go?

A week or so ago, a friend of mine noticed a poster taped to a wall inside the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol building, where American demonstrators were camped out. It showed a lone demonstrator walking toward a line of helmeted Egyptian police, holding high a protest sign. Under the photo, a caption said … Continue reading “Where Did All the Fatwas Go?”

The Great Fear

Moments of imperial and economic decline – according to a recent poll, 65 percent of Americans now believe this country to be “in a state of decline” – can also be periods of cultishness, even of madness incarnate. Such a mood now seems to be spreading through the United States. It’s not so surprising, really. … Continue reading “The Great Fear”

Muslim Americans Foil Terror Threats

A new report on violent extremists in the United States finds that terrorism plots by non-Muslims greatly outnumber those attempted by Muslims, and that Muslim-American communities helped foil close to a third of al-Qaeda-related terror plots threatening the country since Sept. 11, 2001. The report comes from the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), a not-for-profit … Continue reading “Muslim Americans Foil Terror Threats”