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American attitudes toward Muslims and Islam

With the violence in the Middle East continuing, and further attacks on American soil in the name of Islam, the election campaigns have paid significant attention to policy issues related to the Middle East. But as both Republicans and Democrats prepare for their national conventions, how do Americans prioritize Middle East issues compared with other global priorities? Have public attitudes shifted in light of recent ISIS-inspired attacks overseas and at home and in response to heated campaign rhetoric? If so, in what direction? Nonresident Senior Fellow Shibley Telhami conducted two public opinion surveys on American attitudes toward the Middle East—one two weeks before the shooting in Orlando and one two weeks after, providing an opportunity to evaluate any shift in public attitudes. Below are several key findings from the poll and a download link to the survey’s full results.

American attitudes toward Muslims and Islam