People of the Book Unite

[Jayhawker Soule]

From Haaretz

Gallup poll reveals common ground for Jewish and Muslim AmericansA substantial majority of Muslim Americans and Jewish Americans support a future in which an independent Palestinian state would coexist alongside Israel.

A recent Gallup poll has revealed that not only do Muslim Americans and Jewish Americans have similar views regarding how the Palestinian-Israeli conflict might be resolved, but Muslim Americans are significantly more moderate than often believed.

A substantial majority of Muslim Americans (81%) and Jewish Americans (78%) support a future in which an independent Palestinian state would coexist alongside Israel.

According to the poll, 89% of Muslim Americans say there is never a justification for attacks on civilians, compared to 79% of Mormon Americans, 75% of Jewish Americans, and 71% of Protestant and Catholic Americans. It was also found that the frequency with which Muslim Americans — or any other faith group — attend religious services has no effect on whether they justify violence against civilians.

Despite this surprisingly high Muslim opposition to attacks against civilians, most Americans of other faiths, according to the poll, feel Muslim Americans’ do not speak out often enough against terrorism. Of the Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and Mormon Americans surveyed, no more than about one-third and as few as one-quarter believe U.S. Muslims are sufficiently vocal in condemning terrorism.

This statistic is in blatant contradiction with the statistic showing that 72% of Muslim Americans believe that they are, in fact, outspoken in their condemnation of terror.

This mismatch may suggest that U.S. Muslims simply have not found the appropriate outlets to make themselves heard. These statistics also reflect the frustration Muslim Americans often express that their repeated condemnations of terrorism seem to go unheard or unnoticed.

Rabbi Marc Schneier, founder and president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, said Tuesday that “the findings of this up-to-date Gallup poll prove that the projects that we have been running for the past several years throughout the U.S. geared toward bringing Jews and Muslims together were successful and achieved their goal.”

Shalom / Salaam ...

 

[YmirGF]

But do the Israeli's or "Palestinians" particularly care what Americans think?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

But do the Israeli's or "Palestinians" particularly care what Americans think?

It is more than a little sad how some people see something of value and can only respond "yes, but" ...

 

[England my lionheart]

I think you would see a simmilar picture here,this isn't a "yes, but" but (ok it is) i wonder how much in common the Muslims of the West have with those in the ME in their worldview,i do think its good news though.

 

[YmirGF]

It is more than a little sad how some people see something of value and can only respond "yes, but" ...

My point is Jay that it is all very well that Jews and Muslims in the States are all lovey dovey. Big deal. I guess what puzzles me is that I am not the least bit surprised by the poll. It's about what I expect in the States. Perhaps I am not demonizing "Western" Muslims enough. Maybe that's the problem.

 

[YmirGF]

I do think its good news though.

I'm more concerned that this would seem to be news to some folks. *sigh*

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

My point is Jay that it is all very well that Jews and Muslims in the States are all lovey dovey. Big deal.

Important deal.

 

[England my lionheart]

I'm more concerned that this would seem to be news to some folks. *sigh*

It is unfortunate,some Folks can't see further than the end of their Nose,or refuse to,oh well what can be done

 

[beenie]

It is unfortunate,some Folks can't see further than the end of their Nose,or refuse to,oh well what can be done

Agree, change has to begin somewhere.