---
title: "Don’t Know Much About Islam"
description: "A majority of Americans say they do not know very much or know nothing at all about Islam."
date: "2010-09-13"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2010/09/13/dont-know-much-about-islam/"
---

# Don’t Know Much About Islam

Most Americans say they do not know much about the religion of Islam. A majority admits to knowing very little (30%) or nothing at all (25%) about the Muslim religion. Just a little more than a third (35%) know “some” about the religion, and only 9% say they know a great deal. These numbers are little changed from 2007, and have not moved much at all since Pew Research began asking the question in 2001. College graduates (63%) are more likely than those with some college experience (48%) and those with a high school education or less (31%) to know some or a great deal about Islam. Most American (58%) also do not know someone who is Muslim while 41% do. Those with a college degree and adults younger than age 50 are far more likely to be acquainted with a Muslim than are older and less educated Americans. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1706/poll-americans-views-of-muslims-object-to-new-york-islamic-center-islam-violence)