Aussies Feel Threatened By Islam - Poll

The following Bernama report is published here without comment.

About 40 per cent of Australians believe Islam is a threat to the Australian way of life, a poll here has found.

And most people believe Islam treats women as inferior and encourages violence, the 'Sunday Herald Sun' says.

But a Muslim leader says most Australians are ignorant about Islam as a religion.

A McNair Gallup Poll of 502 people, commissioned by the Sunday Herald Sun, has found:

* One in three people are more fearful of Muslims since Sept 11, 2001, when al-Qaeda terrorists destroyed the New York World Trade Centre;

* Seventy-one per cent believe women in Islam are treated as inferior;

* Fifty-six per cent believe Muslims are unfairly discriminated against;

* Two-thirds believe Muslims should be allowed to wear religious dress in schools and workplaces; and

* About 25 per cent of people say they understand Islam well.

Australia's Treasurer Peter Costello said Australians had the right to practise their religions and cultural traditions - within the country's law.

"We're a country that believes in freedom of religion and you've got a right to practise your religion in this country, whatever it is - Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim - as long as you respect the rights of others to do the same," he said.

-- BERNAMA