http://www.nypost.com/seven/05232007/news/nationalnews/time_bombs_in_our_mid st_nationalnews_douglas_montero_and_andy_soltis.htm
<http://www.nypost.com> New York Post TIME BOMBS IN OUR MIDST By DOUGLAS MONTERO and ANDY SOLTIS May 23, 2007 -- <http://www.nypost.com/seven/05232007/postopinion/editorials/a_hair_raising_ poll_editorials_.htm> Editorial One out of four young U.S. Muslims believe suicide bombings against innocent civilians are OK to defend Islam, a disturbing new poll revealed yesterday. The nationwide survey - one of the most exhaustive ever conducted of American Muslim attitudes - also found widespread doubt that Islamic terrorists carried out the 9/11 attacks. But at the same time, three out of four U.S. Muslims are worried about the rise of Islamic extremism around the world - and more than 60 percent are "very concerned" it will grow in America. The survey - revealing possible radicalization of homegrown American Muslim youth - included more than 1,000 of the nation's estimated 2.35 million Muslims and was conducted in English and several foreign languages. The most shocking responses came when those surveyed were asked whether suicide bombings and other violence against civilians can be justified "in order to defend Islam from its enemies." Thirteen percent said it can be justified, at least on rare occasions. Among those under age 30, that 13 percent doubled to 26 percent. Young New York Muslims questioned yesterday said attacks on innocent victims are wrong. But they said they can understand why foreign Muslims would sacrifice their lives against soldiers in conditions they consider "war." "If it's for no reason, then it's no good. If it's in self-defense, to protect others, then it is right," said Youns Hussein, a 21-year-old store owner from Brooklyn of Yemeni descent. The relatively high poll support for suicide attacks deeply worried many experts yesterday. "It is a hair-raising number," said Radwan Masmoudi, president of the Washington-based Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy. The poll question didn't specify whether the suicide bombings being asked about would be in the United States or in other countries. Among the poll's other disturbing findings was that only 40 percent of U.S. Muslims believe that Arabs carried out the 9/11 attacks. Another 28 percent don't believe it - and 32 percent said they had no view. Among 28 percent who doubted that Arabs were behind the conspiracy, one-fourth claim the U.S. government was responsible. Only 26 percent of American Muslims believe the U.S.-led war on terror is a sincere effort to root out international terrorism. When it comes to U.S. military operations, three out of four people surveyed said the decision to go to war in Iraq was wrong - and 48 percent said using force in Afghanistan was wrong. The poll found homegrown support for al Qaeda. Five percent of those surveyed had a "very favorable" or "somewhat favorable" view of the terrorist group. But 58 percent had a "very unfavorable" opinion On Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, The Post found mixed views among Muslims about suicide bombing and 9/11. Mostafa Basraoui, 52, a chef, said his religion does not allow suicide under any circumstances. "In Islam, the theory of killing yourself doesn't exist," he said. Abderrahim Afennah, 24, a janitor from Morocco who lives in Manhattan, said he was "completely against" suicide attacks "because I consider it terrorism." But he and many others also said Muslims were not behind 9/11. "I do believe people who are not Muslims did it intentionally to harm the view people have of Muslims," he said. Ali Ismail, 24, a New-York-born Palestinian who owns two grocery stores, agreed. "I think it was the government, President Bush, so that he could have a reason to go into Afghanistan, Iraq - and before you know it he'll be in Iran," said Ismail. Some suggested Jews carried out the World Trade Center attacks. "Some people say it was the Jews. They just wanted to make the Arabs look bad," one Muslim teenager told The Post. A St. John's University graduate student, who gave his name only as Sam, expressed mixed views on suicide bombing. "I don't know if it's wrong and I don't know if it's right," he said. "Murder is wrong, but why, when you go to war, it's all right to kill?" He added, "I don't agree that if you walk into a day-care center and do it" it's acceptable. The Pew research found most Muslims say they have moderate views, middle-class values and are adjusting to America. Seventy-eight percent described themselves as "very happy" with their lives. But when asked if they considered themselves an American or a Muslim first, only 28 percent said American. The survey also found contrasting views of what it's like to be an American Muslim after Sept. 11, 2001. Fifty-three percent said life has become "more difficult" while 40 percent said it hasn't changed very much. And despite reports of anti-Muslim discrimination, 73 percent said they had never been a victim of it in America, the poll found. The survey found U.S. Muslims are optimistic - even about the Mideast conflict. Sixty-one percent believe a way can be found for both Israel to exist and for the rights of Palestinians to be respected. Among other poll findings: * 71 percent agree that in America, "most people who want to get ahead can make it if they're willing to work hard." * 43 percent said U.S. Muslims should "mostly adopt American customs and ways of life." * 72 percent said religion was "very important". * 61 said homosexuality should be discouraged. With Post Wire Services <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] <http://www.nypost.com/seven/05232007/postopinion/editorials/a_hair_raising_ poll_editorials_.htm> Editorial . <http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=11648958/grpspId=1705447214/msgI d=33484/stime=1179967778/nc1=3848619/nc2=3848643/nc3=3848528> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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