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WASHINGTON (Islam Online) - The American Muslim Council (AMC) and Zogby International announced Tuesday the release of a survey conducted by Zogby International, a public opinion research firm headed by Dr. John Zogby, concerning American Muslim opinions and attitudes towards both domestic and international issues in the American political arena. Zogby's poll was conducted among Americans of all religious faiths in the United States - Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, and Jews. Five hundred and two Muslims were polled by telephone from Zogby's office in Utica, New York. No mention as to how Muslims were located for purposes of the study was provided. The sampling error for the Muslim participants in the survey was +/-4.5%, at the high end of an acceptable sampling error rate for purposes of accuracy and valid results. A note concerning the error rate for sub-groups was provided stating that for these groups, error margins will be higher than that of the larger survey. Among the more relevant survey questions asked for purposes of gathering information on American Muslim opinions concerned the issue of civil rights. The poll found that an overwhelming majority of American Muslims view civil rights (92.6%) as one of their main issues of concern. On other issues, the poll concluded that a majority of American Muslims (88.7%) agree that there should be an independent Palestinian state, as compared to 63-64% of all Americans. Concerning economic sanctions on Iraq, 77.2% of American Muslims agree that the sanctions should be lifted. A surprising 66.1% agree that U.S. society currently shows respect towards the Islamic faith. However, only 36.2% of American Muslims believe that the U.S. currently pursues an even-handed Middle East policy. And only 31% agree with the Clinton administration's handling of the Kashmir issue. The poll showed that while American Muslims tilt conservatively on certain issues, (school vouchers, abortion, parental rights and gay rights) they tilt liberal on other issues (federal involvement in universal healthcare, raising the minimum wage, gun control, and the unilateral ban on nuclear weapon testing). Zogby stated that American Muslims have emerged as one of the most important communities in the United States, constituting high concentrations in Michigan, California, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania - key states during the upcoming election - where they could potentially become crucial swing votes for either party. AMC Board of Directors' Secretary, Abdurahman Alamoudi, said during the conference "American Muslims are not an alien community and have not been for hundreds of years. We are American, as good as it gets. Muslims can, with stronger organization become a swing vote." AMC Executive Director, Aly Abuzaakouk, commenting on the results, said, "It is time that our society recognizes our community through sound facts and figures and not simply through assumption." |
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