30 August 2024: A recent poll conducted by The Brookings Institution and the University of Maryland Critical Issues Poll (UMDCIP) has revealed that prejudice against Muslims in the United States remains higher than towards any other religious, ethnic, or racial group. Despite a general increase in favourable views of Islam and Muslims over the last year, the poll shows a drastic decline, with only 64 percent of Americans holding favourable views of Muslims, down from 78 percent in 2022. Attitudes towards Islam also dropped to 48 percent, as per a report by the Middle East Eye.
The decline in favourable views was noted across both major political parties, with Republicans showing a more pronounced drop. In February 2024, 52 percent of Republicans viewed Muslims favourably, but by July, this figure had decreased to 46 percent. Among Democrats, favourable views fell from 83 percent in February to 80 percent in July.
The poll also examined attitudes towards Jews, revealing that while favourable views of Muslims stand at 64 percent, the figure for Jews is significantly higher at 86 percent. The gap between attitudes towards the people and their respective religions was also notable, with 48 percent favouring Islam compared to 77 percent for Judaism.
Race played a significant role in these attitudes, with 37 percent of white respondents holding unfavourable views of Muslims, compared to just 9 percent for Jews. Among Black and Hispanic respondents, the difference was less pronounced.
Another key finding is the perception of Muslims’ contributions to American society. Only 37 percent of Americans believe that Muslims strengthen American society, compared to the majority who say the same about other ethnic, racial, and religious groups. The lowest confidence was observed among older Republicans, with only 21 percent believing Muslims contribute positively to society.
The poll, conducted between 26 July and 1 August 2024, surveyed 1,510 American adults, including oversamples of Black and Hispanic respondents, highlighting the persistent challenges of prejudice and the need for greater understanding and inclusivity in American society.
