Poll: Most say Muslims are singled out unfairly

CBS

CBS News Poll analysis by the CBS News Polling Unit: Sarah Dutton, Jennifer De Pinto, Fred Backus and Anthony Salvanto.

More than three in four Americans say it is likely that Muslims, Arab Americans and immigrants from the Middle East get unfairly singled out in the United States, according to a new CBS News/New York Times poll taken in conjunction with the ten-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Twenty-nine percent of Americans - including 35 percent of New Yorkers - said it's very likely that people in those groups are singled out unfairly. Another 49 percent called it somewhat likely. Eighteen percent said they did not think such singling out is taking place.

Democrats and younger Americans were more likely than Republicans, independents and older Americans to say people in these groups are being unfairly singled out.

Shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, a full 90 percent of Americans said it was at least somewhat likely that Muslims, Arab Americans and immigrants from the Middle East would be unfairly singled out - including 50 percent who said it was very likely. That figure fell to 80 percent in Sept. 2002, and it stands at 78 percent today.

More results from the poll will be released at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

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The national poll was conducted among a nationwide random sample of 1,165 adults, interviewed by telephone August 19-23, 2011. The error due to sampling could be plus or minus three percentage points for results based on the complete sample. The error for subgroups is higher.

The New York City poll was conducted among a citywide random sample of 1,027 adults, interviewed by telephone August 9-15, 2011. The error due to sampling could be plus or minus three percentage points for results based on the complete sample. The error for subgroups is higher.

Both samples included standard land-lines and cell phones. These poll releases conform to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

[magicwhiteman]

Muslims should be rounded up and background checks and interogations done to determine the good from the bad. Deport the ones that don't measure up to the standards etc.

they are by nature evil and they have an EVIL RELIGION, it is not a religion of peace but of hate.Obama is a fellow traveler / closet Muslim , at was not even born in the US but in Kenya according to his Uncle Omar

this poll is a lie, EVERY PERSON that I speak to agrees the Muslims should be singled out more ,because they are the only group that is involved with terroist activities globally to a large degree.

WhoDat

[mowthpeece]

It's nice to see it's dems and young people that believe this, since they are all properly indoctrinated. And as a former dem-soc, I speak from experience.

If there is singling out it's probably because good law abiding European citizens are watching what's happening to their countries with the rapid and overhwhelming influx of Muslims that have NO DESIRE TO BE LAW ABIDING.

I am all for tolerance, but tolerance implies that those being tolerated are NOT ABUSIVE to the established cultures they wish to be tolerated by.

[JohnWPrewett]

Yea, never mind what the Koran says.

[Lu_C4er]

What does the Koran (Qur'an) say?
Be sure to quote in context.

[mooring7]

We are the the melting pot of the world. Since the late 1800's Europeans and Asians came to this country and embraced the American way of life liberty and pursuit of happiness. They educated their children and their childrens children in the American tradition. They maintained their cultural and religious distinctions and yet they did not put aside their American culture while continuing their religous and cultural way of life. They are remaining stedfast in their belief that all of their religious and cultural beliefs must be their only guidance in America, putting that first and above all else has to create conflicts with mainstream American values. Last week in New York at Rye Playland this all came to a violent conflict when Muslim women refused to remove their head scarfs as a saftey requirement in order to be allowed on to the rides. They began to argue with the ride operator, he summoned park police and the two responding officers where then attacked by a larger group of muslim men and women. The result was a call for Police and when they arrived it broke into a full scale brawl. Police where injured and arrests where made. The muslims position was that they were denied access to the rides because of their religious beliefs. It would seem to me that if your religion prevents you from removing your head wear, then forgoing the ride on a roller coaster would have to be a sacrifice you make in the name of your religius beliefs.

[Danize]

Hmm, so why would what is essentially a light cloth helmet be deemed unsafe? There's lot's more going on below the surface of what you have related here.

[marti21866]

Great comment! Muslims want us to respect their religion and laws but they don't respect ours. You came here, no one forced you follow ours laws or leave. Don't try to make us accept your laws and religion.

[WiseAsOwl]

Just one question.. WHAT is the purpose of this poll????

[Danize]

Quick, change your moniker.

[credibility2]

Because of radical Muslims and what they've repeatedly done to the west, especially on our soil, all of us are now unfairly singled out each and every time we travel by air...these terrorists have now made all of us unfair targets of suspicion...I don't feel sorry for them at all...

[rwsmith29456]

It's a shame but in light of recent history, I can't blame anybody for having a distrust of Muslims. It's unfortunate that all Muslims are categorized with terrorists. If moderate Muslims would discourage extremists and halt the Jihad, things may become more normal, but it will take a while.

[rainbowroosie]

Muslims SHOULD be singled out; our war is with radical Muslims. Should we single out white protestants instead?? This article is ludicrous given what's occurred since 9/11.

[vieteravet]

As both a Genuine Native American ( Indian) and a Veteran , I wish to say that I am very disapointed with all of the controversy and unhappiness that immigrants have brought to the ancient continent of my ancestors for over 500 years. Our voice is never heard.

[wtcmedic911]

I dont have a problem with them being singled out for closer examination. They STARTED this war against the west years before 9/11.
ANY group has a history of killing large numbers of civilians ON PURPOSE they should be examined as well. Such as white northern Irish. They deserved a closer look by the British and they were.
Muslims are not the enemy, radical ones are. How can we tell the difference without questioning? Stop bombing things, killing innocent people. Im sure the light will be removed from your religion.

[oldman67]

I am sure it is not quite as bad as the day after 9/11 when millions of Americans were screaming for the killing of Muslims.The fact that almost every terrorist was from Saudi Arabia never entered their mind.Because of the cries for revenge bringing on the illegal Iraqi War over two million men, women and children died in Iraq.What is dishearting the 70% of American called for this war knowing the truth.Revenge is a powerful force. A few Muslims were killed in America and some businesses owned by Muslims where destroyed. America has become acustomed to war.Henry kissenger said it best! "Americans buy war like children gooble candy". The illegal Iraqi War and the bombing of Kuwait proved this. 70% of America believed everything they saw on tv and heard coming from the Whitehouse and the coporate controlled news media.Too many are either afraid to speak out against the governments foreign policies because they don't want to be considered unpatriotic.I wonder how many really do research instead of letting the Whitehouse think-tanks think for them?

[zoharme]

'That Look'
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