American Muslims: Mostly moderate, not monolithic

By Rebecca Trounson - Los Angeles Times
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - Web Link
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May 23, 2007

Nearly 80% of all Muslim Americans say suicide bombings in defense of Islam are never justified, although one in four younger Muslims say such attacks are acceptable in some circumstances, according to a nationwide study released Tuesday.

The survey of 1,050 Muslim adults by the Pew Research Center paints a picture of a richly diverse, complex and still largely immigrant community that for the most part has blended comfortably into American life.

Most Muslim Americans are moderate, mainstream and middle class, the study shows. They are largely assimilated, happy with their lives and have adopted such core American values as a belief that hard work will lead to success. Their income and educational levels also are comparable with those of most Americans, the study found.

In a conference call with reporters from his Washington office, Pew Research Center President Andrew Kohut said the support, although limited, for suicide attacks among those surveyed was one of the few troubling aspects of the study.

"Overall, this is a very, very positive story for the vast majority of Muslims," Kohut said. "This is a group living as most Americans live … a group that is assimilating or aspiring to assimilate."