FOM: Public Opinion Foundation (Russia) > Russians on Muslims: Friends or Foes?

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19.06.2003, Kertman G.

Russians on Muslims: Friends or Foes?

What do Russians think about Islam? To what extent are public perceptions of this faith and its adherents formed by everyday communication with members of the Muslim minority, and to what degree have they been affected by recent events in "hot spots" in Russia and other areas of the world? Is there a socio-cultural barrier between Russian Muslims and members of other denominations? How widespread are anti-Islamic sentiments in Russia?

The findings of the latest POF poll allow us to answer these important questions.

Let us begin with a more general indicator: 18% of those surveyed report a positive outlook on Islam, 23% feel negative, 51% are indifferent, and 9% found it difficult to answer the question.

It would be a mistake to believe that those saying they are indifferent towards Islam feel equally indifferent towards it. This response conceals a fairly wide spectrum of attitudes. Those saying they are indifferent may include individuals tolerant of religious faiths and alien to anti-Islamic prejudices, and those who feel negative about it, but would not allow themselves to publicly express such sentiments. We shall see further that people who claim themselves to be indifferent about Islam vary greatly in their perceptions of Muslims.

The poll findings are significant for the fact that they allow us to see the ratio of obvious "Islamophiles" and "Islamophobes". There is one aspect that we should take into account: 6% of those surveyed belong to the Muslim minority (This category of respondents picked "Islam" in response to the question: " Which faith do you find most congenial for yourself?" The recent POF polls, though worded differently ("Do you regard yourself as a be-liever? If so, what faith do you refer yourself to?") found the same share of Muslims (6%) This group shall be further referred as "Muslims."), and they almost unanimously report (94%) their adherence to Islam. If we exclude Muslims, it turns out that positive attitudes are demonstrated almost half as frequently as negative ones + 13% and 24%, respectively.

University graduates take a somewhat more favorable stand on Islam (20%, excluding Muslims). Males appear to be more tolerant than women: among the former, 17% feel positive about Islam, 23% are negative, whereas among women the figures are 10% and 25%, respectively.

More essential in this respect are inter-regional differences. We should first note that the overwhelming majority of Russian Muslims reside in two regions + the Southern and Volga Federal Districts (15% and 13%, respectively). Other areas are less inhabited by the Muslims: in the Urals, they account for 2%, and less than 1% in other areas (Noteworthy, the Russian Muslims distinguish from other Russians by two essential socio-demographic factors. First, their share among the rural population (13%) is markedly higher than among the inhabitants of small and large towns. Secondly, their level of income is much lower than the average national indicator: among those whose monthly income does not exceed 1000 rubles per capita, Muslims account 14%; in the income group of those earning 1-2 thous. rubles they reach 4% and as little as 2% among better-off groups.). This implies that in the Southern and Volga districts, contacts between Muslims and representatives of other faiths and atheists are more frequent. The inhabitants of these areas are more likely to say they have Muslim friends or relatives, which indicates that contacts with Muslims are common in these areas.

	All respondents	Federal Districts
		Central	Northwestern	Southern	Volga	Urals	Siberian	Far-Eastern
Question: Do you have friends or relatives that practice Islam? (excludes Muslims)
Yes	25	15	11	35	44	20	21	20
No	71	82	86	62	52	65	75	77
Hard to answer	5	3	3	3	4	15	4	3
Question: *In the area where you reside, are there many, few or no people who practice Islam?* (excludes Muslims)
Many	21	18	8	31	36	22	11	17
Few	31	29	37	32	28	44	23	30
None	25	33	24	24	16	9	40	15
Hard to answer	22	20	31	14	20	25	26	38

The Southern and Volga districts are the only ones where the share of positive attitudes on Islam is higher than average.

	All respondents	Federal Districts
	All respondents	Central	Northwestern	Southern	Volga	Urals	Siberian	Far-Eastern
Question: If a friend of yours adopted Islam, how would you feel about it: positive, negative or indifferent? (excludes Muslims)
Positive	13	9	13	24	20	5	11	4
Indifferent	53	48	60	48	58	55	58	51
Negative	24	35	18	21	14	26	22	32
Hard to answer	9	8	9	8	7	13	9	13

These figures clearly demonstrate that everyday contacts with Muslims don't arouse anti-Islamic sentiments. Moreover, they prevent the spread of such feelings. This can be seen from the table below (which excludes Muslim attitudes).

	All respondents	Where I reside, those practicing Islam are + in number
	All respondents	many	few	None	hard to answer
Question: If a friend of yours adopted Islam, how would you feel about it: positive, negative or indifferent?
Positive	18	41	14	9	6
Indifferent	51	40	57	52	52
Negative	23	15	21	31	25
Hard to answer	9	3	8	7	17

We can see thus that "Islamophobia" is more widespread where Muslims are not known personally. Those who have never had contacts with Muslims are twice as likely to feel dislike than those whose notions were formed from personal experience.

It is noteworthy that many who don't feel negative about Islam prefer to distance themselves from its adherents: 30% of those interviewed (31% excluding Muslims) said they would feel negative if their close friends or relatives adopted Islam. This stand is taken by one out of five who said they felt indifferent about Islam.

	All respondents	Federal Districts
	All respondents	Central	Northwestern	Southern	Volga	Urals	Siberian	Far-Eastern
Question: If a friend of yours adopted Islam, how would you feel about it: positive, negative or indifferent? (excludes Muslims)
Positive	9	6	3	17	15	8	8	7
Indifferent	48	42	56	43	56	53	45	35
Negative	31	38	23	34	23	25	37	34
Hard to answer	12	13	18	6	7	14	10	25

Remarkably, even though the inhabitants of federal districts with a high Muslim population appear more likely to approve of such a decision, their stands differ significantly: while in the Volga region a willingness to condemn conversion to Islam is much weaker than in other regions, in the Southern district, it appears stronger than average.

Trying to anticipate their response to the above situation, the focus group participants very frequently said they would disapprove of such a move. One participant unambiguously stated:

"Negatively. Because I don't like this religion" (DFG, Novosibirsk).

But tolerance to Islam was more likely to be shown:

"If they like it, let them believe in what they want" (DFG, Novosibirsk).

"First participant: This is a personal affair.

First female participant: I feel calm about it.

Second female participant: Yes, it's a personal affair.

Second participant: Let them do as they like " (DFG, Samara).

"First participant: I don't care.

First female participant: I don't care either. If we were too religious, it might affect us. But because we were raised as atheists, we don't care+ " (DFG, Novosibirsk).

Yet not all DFG participants were so definite on this point:

"I'd feel cautious about it. I understand that if someone adopted Islam, it wouldn't do much harm. What makes me fear most are the deviations." (DFG, Novosibirsk).

"First female participant: I wouldn't say a word, but I think that our Christian faith is better..

Moderator: So you would feel +

First female participant: No so much negative, but some concern." (DFG, Novosibirsk).

When asked to discuss a hypothetical situation where a son or daughter intended to marry a Muslim, the share of those rejecting this idea grows as compared to attitudes on conversion to Islam by a close friend or relative. The disapproval grows very markedly when the prospect of a daughter marrying a Muslim is discussed.

	All respondents	Federal Districts
	All respondents	Central	Northwestern	Southern	Volga	Urals	Siberian	Far-Eastern
Question: Imagine that your son was going to marry a Muslim girl. Would you object to the marriage or accept it? (excludes Muslims)
Object	34	38	35	38	26	33	33	38
Accept	47	44	49	49	58	38	48	38
Hard to answer	19	19	17	12	16	29	20	24
Question: Imagine that your daughter was going to marry a Muslim man. Would you object to the marriage or accept it? (excludes Muslims)
Object	47	54	56	51	35	45	44	42
Accept	36	29	24	40	50	28	37	39
Hard to answer	17	17	20	9	15	27	19	19

Again, we can see distinctions between districts with a large share of Muslims. The breakdown of responses in the Southern Federal District is much the same as in Russia on average. In the Volga region, the level of tolerance towards inter-faith marriages is markedly higher than elsewhere. Remarkably, in this region, the majority of those interviewed are markedly more likely to say they wouldn't object to a daughter marrying a Muslim.

The reasons why the idea of daughters marrying Muslim men is objected to more strongly that sons marrying Muslim girls are obvious. First, Russians are confused by the inequality among men and women in a Muslim family, and secondly, by the leading role a man plays in the family + in case of arguments caused by inter-faith differences, the man will have the last word.

"It is not our custom for men to sit at the table without women." (DFG, Samara).

"Moderator: When would your feeling be stronger: if your son or daughter married a Muslim?

DFG participant: A daughter, because men are usually the heads of the family. If he were a Muslim, that wouldn't be good." (DFG, Moscow).

The discussion of hypothetical marriages of children to Muslims at the focus group sessions demonstrated a negative attitude towards this idea. Only two participants at a session in Samara (Volga district) showed some tolerance.

"I don't mind. If they love each other, faith doesn't matter " (DFG, Samara).

"DFG participant: I would say to my children: "Your life is yours".

Moderator: But would you be satisfied deep in your heart?

DFG participant: I wouldn't care much about it" (DFG, Samara).

It is worth nothing that with the attitudes of DFG participants on this issue overwhelmingly negative, not all of them dislike Islam and its adherents. But some pointed out that disagreements caused by different faiths would only aggravate the difficulties that are inevitable in family life.

"When someone gets married, he or she is an adult, right? With established views and traditions. Why try to understand a different faith?" (DFG, Samara).

"Every faith has its own laws and rules, and they will inevitably end up in arguments. People may live together for twenty years and do nothing by argue with each other." (DFG, Moscow).

Some focus group participants object to any inter-faith or inter-ethnic marriages.

"DFG female participant: I think+ I am against mixed marriages. Not only with Muslims.

Moderator: Even a Buddhist?

DFG female participant: No.

Moderator: And what about Catholics?

DFG female participant: They are closer, but I would disapprove all the same." (DFG, Moscow).

"Even Armenians, although they are Christians " (DFG, Novosibirsk).

A female participant at this Novosibirsk session added: "Let alone Muslims." However, this stand is in no way connected with anti-Islamic prejudices: in their judgments, the respondents are guided by "life wisdom" that tells them inter-faith marriages are fraught with problems. A female respondent who appeared quite tolerant of Muslims noted:

"It's very hard to live among a different ethnic group. You understand it later when you gain more life experience. They have their own customs. Of course, they want you to observe their customs. But I am a Christian." (DFG, Samara).

Meanwhile, some respondents objected to marriages with Muslims, accusing them of creating difficulties or recalling "facts" that argue against such marriages.

"DFG female participant: Muslims create difficulties. That's for sure.

Moderator: Because of their ethnicity, or faith?

DFG female participant: Yes, their faith. It would be an obstacle in such a marriage" (DFG, Samara).

"At my work, a girl used to date a Chechen. He tortured her! It was horrible. It's in their character. You have to be careful." (DFG, Novosibirsk).

"Uzbeks are the same. My cousin married an Uzbek. His family took a dowry from the girl's family." (DFG, Samara).

The last quote belongs to a female participant who demonstrated sheer hatred for Muslims throughout the whole discussion. The prospect of her daughter marrying a Muslim is a reality for her + her daughter is dating a Muslim schoolmate.

"I said: 'Over my dead body!' He is a Tatar. I wouldn't call that love, she's only fifteen. I say: "God forbid!" First, his ears stand out+ and I support my faith. My friend's neighbor married a Tatar, he married her with a child. So she converted to his faith. She got ill and died, and was buried at a Tatar cemetery. I'm outraged. Why, she's Russian! But she adopted their faith and they buried her in the Tartar cemetery." (DFG, Samara).

We should stress that while discussing everyday contacts between Muslims and members of other faiths, anti-Islamic sentiments were not prevalent, the initial reaction to the word "Islam" was often negative. Poll participants were asked what first came to their minds when they heard this word. Only 26% found it difficult to answer the question.

As it turned out, war and terrorism are the key associations: such responses were given by almost one-third of those interviewed (23% of all those surveyed).

"Wars, conflicts"; "terrorism under the banner of Islam"; "suicide bombers"; "the Chechen war" (open-ended question).

Another 13% spoke about aggression, fanaticism, intolerance and cruelty.

"All of them are evil"; "aggressive"; "militant cruelty"; "brutality"; "they want to conquer the world"; "they despise and distrust other people " (open-ended question).

Five percent of responses expressed a dislike for Islam without any references to arguments or associations.

"I wouldn't like it at all; "only trouble"; "we dislike them"; "Islam is hell " (open-ended question).

We can see that more than half of the responses on Islam are negative. Other responses basically contain neutral characteristics, but even here one can find judgements showing dislike for the Islamic world, or at least a cautious attitude. For example, some respondents indicate that Islam is alien ("Islam is not our faith"); they point to the inequality of men and women ("women are humiliated") and use derogatory words for Muslim nations.

Only 3% of responses clearly expressed positive attitudes towards Islam (we should note that 6% of those interviewed are Muslims).

"True Muslims are good people"; "humanity, mutual support"; "order and peace"; "honesty"; "peace"; "something spiritual" (open-ended question).

With this ratio of positive, negative and neutral attitudes, it is not surprising that 48% of those interviewed view the role of Islam in contemporary world as negative. Only 14% regard it as positive (excluding the responses of Russian Muslims, this gap is even larger + 51% and 11%).

Responses to an open-ended question on Islamic teaching broke down in a different way. 48% found it difficult to answer, and positive and negative responses were nearly equal + 23% and 21%.

Among the positive features of Islam, the respondents pointed to moral values, respect for elders, a healthy way of life and traditionalism.

"Justice, honesty, humanity"; "it gives a moral foundation"; "I know they respect their parents"; "peace and accord"; "they teach children to lead a proper life, not to drink"; " (open-ended question).

Others accused Islam of fanaticism, intolerance and cruelty:

"They exterminate people of other faiths"; "an authoritarian religion raising children in the spirit of fanatical belief "; "jihad"; "cruelty and sadism "; "they teach killing and terrorism "; "blind fanaticism " (open-ended question).

While the absolute majority associate Islam with extremism, expansionism, aggression and terrorism, on the issue of the responsibility this faith for crimes committed under its banner, Russians have not formed a definite opinion.

In discussing this issue at the focus groups, respondents expressed three points of view:

Some directly equated Islam with terrorism

"First female participant: Islam is terror.

First participant: I don't know for sure, but I think that Islam is a school of terror" (DFG, Novosibirsk).

Others believe that Islam is not responsible for terrorist actions.

"Islam is not terror. This is just a faith. But it is exploited." (DFG, Novosibirsk).

"Aggression is typical of terrorists who commit crimes under the guise of religion." (DFG, Novosibirsk).

"No faith calls for killing." (DFG, Samara).

The third, related idea is that Islamic teaching creates the conditions for the spread of terrorism among its adherents.

"They are more fanatical. Roughly, they say + go and blow yourself up." (DFG, Moscow).

"They treat life and death lightly, especially the life of others. How do they explain it? Why is terrorism typical of Islam?" (DFG, Samara).

"First participant: Terrorism built its nest on the Muslim faith.

First female participant: On obedience.

First participant: It grows in the Muslim environment." (DFG, Novosibirsk).

In conclusion, let us take a closer look at figures showing public attitudes on Islam and the role this faith plays in the contemporary world.

	All respondents	I feel about Islam+
	All respondents	Positive	Indifferent	Indifferent	hard to answer
Question: Overall, do you think Islam plays a positive or a negative role in the world?
Positive	14	51	9	2	2
Negative	48	20	44	85	37
Hard to answer	37	29	47	13	60

For some, this is actually a single question: blaming Islam for the action of Islamic fundamentalists and terrorists, they voice a negative attitude towards this religion and view its role in the world as negative.

For others the question is not so obvious. Among those who feel positive about Islam, half are ready to acknowledge its role in the world as positive, while one out of five feel negative about Islam. However, both groups are unable to take a definite stand on Islam: showing their respect for the faith, people feel doubtful about its proper practice.

This controversy is obviously typical of perceptions of Islam by those individuals who define their stand as indifferent. However, the "indifferent" approach often conceals mixed attitudes. Less than half of those "indifferent" are ready to admit that Islam plays a negative role in contemporary world. Overall, over one-third of those surveyed are undecided about the role of Islam in the world, despite unanimous condemnation of extremists acting in the name of Islam. The share voicing a negative stand is half the size of those viewing Islam's role as positive. This implies that the Russian mass consciousness has a certain + although not too powerful + immunity against "Islamophobia". As demonstrated by the figures given above, everyday contacts with Russian Muslims helps to reduce rather than undermine this immunity. However, poll findings clearly indicate that anti-Islamic sentiments are widespread in Russia.

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