Rising Prejudice Against Muslims in America Reaches New Heights: Brookings
Washington, D.C., The Gulf Observer: Unfavourable attitudes towards Muslims in the United States have reached alarming levels, surpassing those directed at any other religious, ethnic, or racial group, according to a new poll conducted by the Brookings Institution. The poll highlights a significant surge in prejudice against Muslims and Islam, with levels not seen since the Trump administration.
The findings reveal a disturbing trend across the political spectrum, with a particularly sharp increase in negative views among Democrats—a group historically known for opposing such sentiments. The data indicates a deep-seated bias against Muslims that transcends demographic lines, although college-educated Americans tend to hold more favourable views.
The University of Maryland Critical Issues Poll (UMDCIP), conducted between July 26 and August 1, further examines these shifts in American public attitudes. It also explores broader prejudices against various racial, religious, and ethnic groups, including Jews and Muslims. Notably, the poll shows a growing reluctance among Americans to support a Muslim political candidate, even one with whom they share political views. This trend is particularly pronounced among Republicans and mirrors the longstanding aversion to atheist candidates, highlighting the persistent influence of religious identity in American politics.
The report also addresses the potential impact of President Joe Biden’s recent statements amid heightened attention to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. The president’s tone, criticized by some as insensitive to Muslim and Arab civilian casualties, may be contributing to the dehumanization of Arabs and Muslims, the report suggests.
The data underscores a broader concern: anti-Muslim sentiment is becoming a central issue in America’s cultural and political landscape. As the country approaches a new election cycle, these prejudices are poised to shape the political discourse in ways that extend beyond policy, revealing deep divisions within American society.
The Brookings report notes that prejudice towards Muslims and Islam now exceeds that towards Jews and Judaism. Among all respondents, 64 percent held favourable views of Muslims compared to 86 percent for Jews, while 48 percent had favourable views of Islam versus 77 percent for Judaism.
The survey sampled 1,510 American adults, including oversamples of 202 Black and 200 Hispanic respondents, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the current state of prejudice in the United States.
