Islam-West Rift Widens, Poll Says

Most people in Muslim countries and the West believe divisions between them are worsening, a Gallup poll for the World Economic Forum (WEF) suggests.

http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=2851

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The poll also suggested that most Europeans thought more interaction with Islam would be a threat – though most Americans disagreed.

WEF chairman Klaus Schwab said the poll pointed to “an alarmingly low level of optimism” over dialogue.

It surveyed about 1,000 people in each of 21 countries, mostly in mid-2007.

The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum begins in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday.

Respondents were asked how they thought relations were now and how they thought they would develop.Describing the position now, majorities on both sides said they did not believe the two sides were getting along.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7200514.stm

2008-01-21