US Muslims are more optimistic about the future than other faith groups, but while they overwhelmingly reject terrorism, nearly half report discrimination, a poll found on August 2. The survey was carried out ahead of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and looked at how well integrated the 2.6 million Muslims living in the United States are in the wake of the “war on terror” launched by former president George W Bush after the deadly plane hijackings.
It found that Muslims tend to be more optimistic about both the economy and politics following the election of President Barack Obama, who enjoys 80 per cent approval among Muslims, higher than from any other major faith group. Sixty per cent of Muslims said they were “thriving” in the United States, compared to 61 percent of Jews, 54 percent of Catholics and 52 percent of Protestants, according to the poll. Only 37 per cent of Muslims said they were “struggling,” less than both Christian groups but a single percentage point higher than Jews, while just three percent of Muslims said they were “suffering.” Fifty-four per cent of Muslims said the US economy was “getting better,” a far higher percentage than any other religious group. “Muslim Americans are satisfied with their current lives and more optimistic than other faith groups that things are getting better,” said the report, which did not distinguish between different Muslim groups.