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| Poll sees hope in West-Islam ties | Poll sees hope in West-Islam ties |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Most people believe common ground exists between the West and the Islamic world despite current global tensions, a BBC World Service poll suggests. | Most people believe common ground exists between the West and the Islamic world despite current global tensions, a BBC World Service poll suggests. |
| In a survey of people in 27 countries, an average of 56% said they saw positive links between the cultures. | In a survey of people in 27 countries, an average of 56% said they saw positive links between the cultures. |
| Yet 28% of respondents told questioners that violent conflict was inevitable. | Yet 28% of respondents told questioners that violent conflict was inevitable. |
| Asked twice about the existing causes of friction, 52% said they were a result of political disputes and 58% said minority groups stoked tensions. | Asked twice about the existing causes of friction, 52% said they were a result of political disputes and 58% said minority groups stoked tensions. |
| Only in one country, Nigeria, where Christian and Muslim groups often clash violently, did a majority of those polled (56%) cite religious and cultural differences between communities as the root cause of conflict. | Only in one country, Nigeria, where Christian and Muslim groups often clash violently, did a majority of those polled (56%) cite religious and cultural differences between communities as the root cause of conflict. |
| Poll results: Common ground or conflict? | Poll results: Common ground or conflict? |
| Doug Miller, president of polling company Globescan, said the results suggested that the world was not heading towards an inevitable and wide-ranging "clash of civilisations". | Doug Miller, president of polling company Globescan, said the results suggested that the world was not heading towards an inevitable and wide-ranging "clash of civilisations". |
| "Most people feel this is about political power and interests, not religion and culture," he said. | "Most people feel this is about political power and interests, not religion and culture," he said. |
| It is worth noting that most victims of Islamic intolerance and terrorism are Muslims themselves Anon, UK Send us your comments class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/19_02_07_islam.pdf">Read the findings of the poll [1.5MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here He pointed to the polarisation of communities in Nigeria as a warning sign to others, but hailed the results from Lebanon, a country frequently caught up in conflicts. | |
| Some 78% of Lebanese strongly believed West-East tensions were politically motivated, while 68% felt common ground could be found between the West and the Islamic world. | Some 78% of Lebanese strongly believed West-East tensions were politically motivated, while 68% felt common ground could be found between the West and the Islamic world. |
| Minorities blamed | Minorities blamed |
| The BBC poll asked approximately 1,000 people in each of 27 countries three questions about their interpretation of the world they live in. | The BBC poll asked approximately 1,000 people in each of 27 countries three questions about their interpretation of the world they live in. |
| Most expressed the belief that ongoing clashes could be resolved without violent conflict. | Most expressed the belief that ongoing clashes could be resolved without violent conflict. |
| Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population, was the only nation where most people (51%) said violence was inevitable. | Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population, was the only nation where most people (51%) said violence was inevitable. |
| But the results showed that a significant minority of those polled appeared pessimistic about the future. | But the results showed that a significant minority of those polled appeared pessimistic about the future. |
| "There is clearly pessimism about the inevitability of events," Mr Miller added. | "There is clearly pessimism about the inevitability of events," Mr Miller added. |
| "But twice as many people believe common ground can be found. There are real opportunities for peacemakers here." | "But twice as many people believe common ground can be found. There are real opportunities for peacemakers here." |
| The most positive respondents came from Western nations, with 78% of Italians, 77% of Britons and 73% of Canadians saying it is possible to find common ground. | The most positive respondents came from Western nations, with 78% of Italians, 77% of Britons and 73% of Canadians saying it is possible to find common ground. |
| Many blamed intolerant minorities for fuelling disputes and disagreements. | Many blamed intolerant minorities for fuelling disputes and disagreements. |
| Some 39% of all respondents said minorities on both sides were to blame. | Some 39% of all respondents said minorities on both sides were to blame. |
| Just 12% said mainly Muslim minorities were to blame, and only 7% pointed the finger at Western fringe groups. | Just 12% said mainly Muslim minorities were to blame, and only 7% pointed the finger at Western fringe groups. |
| VIEWS OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUSLIM AND WESTERN CULTURES Can find common ground Violent conflict inevitable France 69% 23% Germany 49% 39% Great Britain 77% 15% India 35% 24% Indonesia 40% 51% Italy 78% 14% Kenya 46% 35% Lebanon 68% 26% Nigeria 53% 37% Russia 49% 23% Turkey 49% 29% US 64% 31% | VIEWS OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUSLIM AND WESTERN CULTURES Can find common ground Violent conflict inevitable France 69% 23% Germany 49% 39% Great Britain 77% 15% India 35% 24% Indonesia 40% 51% Italy 78% 14% Kenya 46% 35% Lebanon 68% 26% Nigeria 53% 37% Russia 49% 23% Turkey 49% 29% US 64% 31% |
| Return to story | Return to story |