London - A Gallup poll examining Muslim integration in major
European countries has shown that Muslims identify more strongly with
the countries they live in than the population as a whole.
The global study of interfaith relations showed that more than
two-thirds of Muslims living in Britain, Germany and France state
they are loyal to the countries they live in, even though they
identify equally strongly with their religion.
However, in what the report described as a 'gulf of
misunderstanding', only about between 30 per cent of the total
population in the three countries believed that Muslims were loyal to
the state.
More communication between both sides was needed to cultivate a
better understanding of how Muslims in Europe tended to reconcile
their typically high degree of religiosity with their largely secular
environments, said the study.
Gallup said the data indicated that there was enough common ground
and willingness on both sides to improve the dialogue.
'Muslims are very likely - often more likely than the general
public - to express confidence in democratic institutions and a
desire to live in neighborhoods with mixed ethnic and religious
backgrounds,' it said.
The report's authors said the study showed that religion and
national identity were complementary rather than competing.
'This research shows that many of the assumptions about Muslims
and integration are wide of the mark,' said the study.
In Germany, which has a strong Turkish population, the trust
placed by Muslims in the state's institutions 'proves that strong
religious beliefs don't translate into a lack of loyalty.'
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