Unfavourable views of Muslims and Jews on the increase in Europe

Thursday, 18 September 2008 12:42

The Pew Research Centre publishes a report on the rise of ethnocentrism entitled 'Unfavourable views of Muslims and Jews on the increase in Europe'.

The Washington-based Centre's global attitudes survey found that favourable opinion of Muslims in European countries is declining compared to previous years' surveys with 52 percent in Spain, 50 percent in Germany, 46 percent in Poland and 38 percent in France holding negative attitudes toward them.

The survey also finds a rise in anti semitism in Europe though states that Britain is the only European country without a substantial increase in anti-Semitic attitudes.

"There is a clear relationship between anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim attitudes," the report states.

"(Those) that view Jews unfavourably also tend to see Muslims in a negative light."

In May 2008 The Gallup Organization and the Coexist Foundation partnered to launch a project called, “The Muslim-West Facts Initiative”. The project's aim is to equip leaders and opinion formers with analysis on Muslims based on empirical data and to challenge popular assumptions or misperceptions.

From the findings of this recent Pew survey, it would seem there is an acute need to challenge popular assumptions and misperceptions of Muslims in Europe.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Terry Davis, issuing a statement of the findings of the Pew Report said that 'Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Europe have increased, are increasing and ought to be diminished.'

'Data from some European countries is particularly worrying, with almost half the population having negative opinions about Muslims and Jews.'

'The survey also identifies the most effective way to change this worrisome trend – namely education [and] we are now going to launch a new phase of our All Different All Equal Anti-discrimination Campaign with a specific focus on media', he added.

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