Religious Extremism

Malala Yousafzai's shooting came at a time when social hostilities involving religion were at a high point, both globally and in Pakistan.

About eight-in-ten U.S. Muslims (82%) say they are either very (66%) or somewhat concerned (16%) about extremism committed in the name of Islam around the world.

People across Europe and in the U.S. and Canada have pervasive concerns about the threat of Islamic extremism in their countries.

While most Americans disapprove of Donald Trump’s recent refugee policy, there is a sizable divide on the issue among major religious groups.

In 2014, the median level of religious hostilities in the Middle East and North Africa reached a level four times that of the global median.

Government restrictions on religion and social hostilities related to religion decreased somewhat between 2013 and 2014, the second consecutive year of such declines.

Half of Americans say the next president should be careful not to criticize Islam as a whole when speaking about Islamic extremists, while four-in-ten want the next president to speak bluntly about Islamic extremists even if the statements are critical of Islam as a whole.

As the Islamic militant group ISIS continues to entrench itself in Syria and Iraq, concerns about Islamic extremism are growing in the West and in countries with significant Muslim populations.

There has been considerable debate over the country's Muslims and the role of extremism, but no backlash against Muslims in French public opinion.

The horrific murder of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh has generated shock and outrage around the globe. And if recent history is a guide, this brutal act will only deepen opposition to ISIS, and to violent extremism more generally, in Jordan and other predominantly Muslim nations.