Survey: Majority Reject Idea Of 'Clash Of Civilizations' Between Islam And West

A majority of people surveyed in 27 countries do not believe the world is locked in a "clash of civilizations" that will lead to violent conflict between Islam and the West, according to a poll published today.

The British Broadcasting Corp. World Service poll of more than 28,000 people found 52 per cent believe tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims are caused by political power and interests, compared with 29 percent who say religion and culture are root causes.

Most Muslim, non-Muslim and westerner respondents rejected the idea that violent conflict between Islam and the West is inevitable.

Although 28 per cent said violence was inevitable, twice as many, 56 percent, believe "common ground can be found."

Since Sept 11 attacks, countries around the world have struggled with how to deal with radicalism at home and abroad. The poll's results are hopeful, showing most believe differences between Muslims and Westerners can be worked out, said Steven Kull, Director of the Program on International Policy attitudes at the University of Maryland, which conducted the survey with pollsters from Globescan.

"Most people around the world clearly reject the idea that Islam and the West are caught in an inevitable clash of civilizations," Kull said.

58% percent blame tensions on intolerant minorities, not cultural groups as a whole. But, 26 percent identified fundamental differences between the cultures as the cause. (ZeeNews.Com)
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