Home > News Briefs > Peace Times Edition 101. Not in the Name of Islam: Muslims in the West Reject Violence, Claim Common Ground

Not in the Name of Islam: Muslims in the West Reject Violence, Claim Common Ground

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“Where are the moderate Muslims? Why don’t we hear from them?”

It’s a question we hear frequently from people in our own neighborhoods, even though Peace X Peace has been showcasing Muslim peacebuilders, among many others, since its founding in 2002. Two kinds of developments make the question especially timely now: a recent rash of real and attempted “terrorist” attacks, and a cluster of decisions by European groups and governments that seem designed to suppress Muslim identity.

In an April 2009 survey of 1,000 US adults conducted by ABC News and the Washington Post, most said they did not know a Muslim, and 55% said they didn’t know even the basics about the Islamic faith. Still, almost half, 48%, reported an unfavorable view of Islam. This was the highest negative rating since late 2001. Nearly three in 10, or 29%, said they see mainstream Islam as advocating violence against non-Muslims. || Read more