Views from around the Globe: Countering Violent Extremism

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VIEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE:COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM

A CSIS Commission on Countering Violent Extremism Survey

Supervised by Mark J. PennConducted by National Research Group

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The Countering Violent Extremism survey was conducted online between August 12th and August 29th 2016 by the global research based consultancy National Research Group (NRG)

Surveys were conducted with 8,000 18-75 year olds in the U.S., U.K. France, India, China, Turkey, Egypt*, and Indonesia.

In markets with a younger demographic spread, ages were capped lower (55 in Egypt/Indonesia, 65 in Turkey) *In Egypt sample was n=750 and skewed notably male (4:1) – a function of internet penetration / panel composition in the market.

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PERCEPTIONS OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM

4

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

25%

18%15%

8% 7% 7% 6% 5% 5% 5%

The most important issues facing your country right now (1st choice)

Terrorism is the number one global issueAt a country level, terrorism leads by some distance as the key issue in Turkey and France.

It’s the number 2 issue in the U.S. and India and in the top 4 in the U.K. and Egypt.

Question not asked in China

Number one in

Turkey & France

Over-index in Egypt,

India, Indonesia

Joint top in the U.K.

Joint top in the U.K.

5

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global Turkey Indonesia France India Egypt US UK China

66%

87% 85% 83%

69% 64% 61%

41%34%

83%93% 93%

86% 82% 80% 80% 83%

69%

In my country In the world

Proportion considering violent extremism to be ‘major problem’

Violent extremism seen as major problem in most countries

Overall, around two-thirds of those polled see violent extremism as being a major problem in their country.

Even where the proportion dips below half (U.K., China), more see it as ‘a minor problem’ rather than ‘not much of a problem.’

6

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global France Turkey Indonesia US UK India Egypt China

38%60% 50% 49% 45% 36% 25% 22% 14%

45%

34% 43% 43% 44% 52%50% 52%

42%

Very likely Somewhat likely

Likelihood of violent extremist attack in the next year

Most expect an attack soon

In all countries, with the exception of China, at least three-in-four people expect an attack to occur within the next year.

France is most concerned, with 60 percent feeling that it’s very likely. It is followed by Turkey, Indonesia and the United States.

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global France Turkey Indonesia US India China UK Egypt

73%86% 83% 79% 74% 68% 68% 62% 57%

Likely will acquire / use WMDs

Proportion that feel extremist groups are likely to acquire and use weapons of mass destruction in their lifetime

Majority think violent extremist groups will acquire and use WMDs

France shows the most concern. The view is less common in the United Kingdom and Egypt but is still held by the majority in both countries.

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global France Turkey India US UK Indonesia China Egypt

58%81% 73% 66% 64% 59% 50%

35% 25%

13%

3% 10%9% 5% 3% 18%

22% 39%

23%12% 15% 23%

22% 29% 28%33% 27%

6% 3% 2% 2% 10% 9% 4% 10% 9%

Increasing Decreasing Staying the same Don’t know

Threat of violent extremism in your country

Threat seen to be increasing in most countriesThe French are most concerned that the threat is increasing – but this is the majority view in Turkey, Indonesia, and the United States as well. Only the Chinese think the threat is decreasing.

Asked in the context of the ‘world’ rather than at a local level, 82 percent of those polled see the threat as increasing (varying between 72 percent and 88 percent by country).

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Many people have changed their behavior; personal experience plays a role

In Turkey, China, India, Indonesia and Egypt, at least three-in-ten of those surveyed have changed many of their behaviors out of concern about violent extremism.

Four-in-ten in France say they are going less frequently to public gatherings, and a third are fearful of visiting public places. Those in the United Kingdom claim to have changed their behavior the least.

As a result of the threat of violent extremism, which activities are you doing less: Global U.S. U.K. France Turkey India Indonesi

aEgypt China

Fearful of visiting certain places 40% 24% 20% 32% 49% 52% 52% 46% 47%

Going to public gatherings 39% 28% 23% 41% 58% 40% 38% 34% 48%

Giving my views on certain topics 33% 20% 18% 20% 38% 44% 42% 46% 36%

Going to airports 32% 31% 22% 29% 37% 28% 43% 33% 32%

Using public transportation 29% 27% 18% 27% 32% 29% 46% 22% 27%

Have you been, or know anyone who has been a victim of violent extremism?

Global U.S. U.K. France Turkey India Indonesia Egypt China

Yes 26% 11% 10% 15% 39% 33% 57% 33% 13%

10

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global France US UK Turkey India Egypt China Indonesia

69%

83%78% 76% 72% 71% 70%

53%46%

31%

17%22% 24% 28% 29% 30%

47%54%

Promoting extremism Adequately policed

Are extremists successfully using the internet to promote violent extremism or is the internet being adequately policed?

The Internet isn’t felt to be adequately policedMany in Muslim-majority countries (62 percent Egypt, 60 percent Indonesia, 43 percent Turkey) rely upon the Internet for religious information.

However, in 6 of the 8 countries surveyed, 70 percent or more say that violent extremists are successfully using the Internet to promote their narratives. China and Indonesia are split on whether or not the Internet is being adequately policed.

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WHAT ARE THE CAUSES

12

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………53%

29%25% 24% 23% 22%

15%10%

Root cause of violent extremism (1st/2nd choice combined)

Religious fundamentalism seen as driving violent extremismIn all countries except Turkey and Egypt, the root cause of violent extremism is primarily felt to be religious fundamentalism.

The opinion is held most strongly in the United Kingdom, France and India.

U.S., Indonesia

Over-index

Joint top in Egypt, high

in Indonesia

Top in Turkey, 2nd

in U.K.

Over-index in Turkey

Joint top in Egypt

Over-index in France

70%+ in U.K.,

France, India

13

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Lack of moderate religious guidance

Poverty Human rights abuses

18% 15% 14%

28%

8% 7%

20%

12%8%

19% 19%

27%

38%

28%23%

51%

32%

20%

42%35% 35%

25%30% 28%

U.S. U.K. France Turkey India Indonesia Egypt China

Secondary factors most likely to lead to radicalisation (1st/2nd choice combined)

Lack of moderate religious guidance seen as major secondary factor – much more so in Indonesia, Egypt and India.Poverty is also considered a factor in these same markets, as well as human rights abuses.

Military action by foreign governments leads in Turkey (36 percent), but is less important elsewhere.

14

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Anti-Western sentiment Active recruitment Lack of personal meaning or purpose

26%

16% 17%

36%

27%

17%

28% 30%

14%14% 16% 16%

10% 8%

21%

14%

8%

15%

5% 5% 6%

21%

4%

12%


….in Western countries, anti-Western sentiment and active recruitment are considered the major secondary factors These are cited as factors in the United Kingdom and France – particularly among those above 55 years of age.

Other factors combined 1st/2nd choice less than 15%

Secondary factors most likely to lead to radicalization (1st/2nd choice combined)

15

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

U.S. U.K. France India China

70%61% 62%

47% 44%

8% 5%10% 10% 9%8%

12%18% 18% 17%

11%15%

6%

17%

28%

Radical Islamic Fundamentalists Those who want to make Islam look bad Criminals A few crazy people

Western countries see violent extremism as the work of radical Islamic fundamentalists… Western countries, along with India and China, believe that radical Islamic fundamentalists are the primary driver of violent extremism.

Global violent extremism is mostly the work of…..

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Turkey Indonesia Egypt

30% 30%

15%

43%48%

55%

15% 14%

22%

4% 6% 5%

Radical Islamic Fundamentalists Those who want to make Islam look bad Criminals A few crazy people

…but in Muslim-majority countries, more consider violent extremism to be the work of those who want to make Islam look badEgyptians feel this particularly strongly.

Global violent extremism is mostly the work of…..

Just 5% globally (and no more than 8% in any country) cite ‘legitimate political protesters’

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TACKLING VIOLENT EXTREMISM

18

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global Turkey France US Egypt UK India Indonesia

50%

70%60% 55% 50%

43% 40%33%

64%

87%

63% 58%

75%

60%51% 47%

My government The international community

Proportion considering inadequate steps have been taken by their own government / the international community

Globally, one in two people feel their government has taken inadequate steps to counter violent extremism….Majorities in Turkey, France and the United States feel their own governments have taken inadequate steps to contain and prevent violent extremism. The response from the international community is felt to be even weaker.


19

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global Egypt Indonesia India Turkey France US China UK

73%

91% 86% 86%74% 70%

64% 60%47%

68%76%

85% 85%

62% 65%59% 55%

61%

V.E. threat is solvable My generation has role to play

Proportion considering threat is solvable / ‘my generation has a role to play’

…but most feel the threat is solvable – and their generation has a role to play

Majorities in all countries except the United Kingdom think the threat of violent extremism is solvable.

Majorities also agree their generation has a role to play in stopping the appeal of extremist ideologies – 68 percent overall and prevalent across age brackets.

20

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………31%

22%

15% 13%10%

Most effective course of action, when considering potential solutions to V.E. (1st choice)

Military actions seen as most effective courseThe most effective course of action is considered to be military action – 10 percentage points ahead of other options in France, the United States, United Kingdom, and China. Muslim-majority countries offer a more nuanced approach – Egyptians reference a mix of economic actions and mass media/social networks, Turkey a mix of economic and military actions, and Indonesians suggest diplomacy and economic actions but don’t discount military options.

Egyptians favor, and slightly ahead of military action in Turkey, Indonesia

Number one in non-Muslim

countriesNumber 2 suggestion

in Egypt and India

Favored in Indonesia, alongside economic

and then military action

21

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Are military efforts helping people or creating a

backlash?

Respondents have mixed opinions on effectiveness of military effortsSlightly more think military efforts aren’t working – with a sharp divide between countries in the West plus Turkey, compared to Indonesia, India and, to a lesser extent, China.

People are divided about whether military efforts are helpful or harmful – in the United Kingdom and Egypt in particular, more think these efforts have brought about a backlash.

39%

44%

17%

Working Not working Don't know

Have military efforts against violent extremism been working or not working?

39%

38%

23%

Helping people Creating backlash Don't know

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Are programs addressing ideology and narratives

violent extremists use to recruit making a difference?

Western countries not convinced other programs are making a differenceWhen considering programs addressing poverty, joblessness, and social conditions OR programs addressing the ideology and extremist narratives, people in the United Kingdom, France and the United States tend to feel these aren’t making a difference (although in the latter case large minorities say they don’t know).

Countries like Indonesia, India and Egypt have a more positive view, as between 60 and 72 percent feel they’re working.

Impact of programs addressing poverty, joblessness and social conditions:

46%

37%

17%

Working Not making differenceDon't know

44%

27%

30%

Yes No Don't know

23

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

78%

9% 13%

Easier Harder No Effect

Globally, most see social networks/the internet as contributing to the spread of violent extremism, and feel that internet companies need to do a lot more to stop the use of social networks by these groups.

Impact of social networks / internet on spread of violent extremism

15%

72%

13%

Doing enough Need to do a lot more Don’t know

Are internet companies doing enough?

Internet/Social networks make it easier for violent extremism to spread; internet companies not doing enough

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global Turkey France US China UK India Indonesia Egypt

46%62% 59% 55% 54% 50% 40%

22% 22%

25%13% 11% 13% 25%

8% 31%53% 52%

29% 25% 30% 32% 20%42% 28% 25% 26%

Part of the problem Doing what it can Don’t know

Is Saudi Arabia doing what it can or is its government’s policies part of the problem?

Saudi Arabia seen to be part of the problem

More see Saudi Arabia’s policies as contributing to the problem of violent extremism than think the country’s doing what it can to stop it. Indonesia and Egypt are exceptions, while Turkey is the most critical of the Kingdom in this respect.

25

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global Total Muslims Very religious Somewhat religious Not very/not at all religious

46% 34% 24% 31% 45%

25% 41% 58% 43%45%

29% 25% 18% 26%26%

Part of the problem Doing what it can Don’t know

Is Saudi Arabia doing what it can or is its government’s policies part of the problem?

Muslim views on Saudi Arabia vary Among ‘very religious’ Muslims, one-in-four think that Saudi Arabia isn’t doing enough.

With the least religious Muslims, views on Saudi Arabia’s efforts are similar to those held by the sample as a whole.

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FAVOR / OPPOSE GLOBAL U.S. U.K. FRANCE INDIA CHINA TURKEY EGYPT INDONESIA

Cracking down on criminal activities that help violent extremists raise money 92 8 88 12 93 7 90 10 90 10 95 5 92 8 93 7 96 4

Requiring all citizens and visitors to have ID cards 90 10 82 18 80 20 87 13 97 3 96 4 86 14 97 3 98 2

Supporting community-led efforts in each country that counter extremists’ messaging and ideology 90 10 87 13 89 11 88 12 87 13 94 6 84 16 95 5 96 4

Asking internet companies to do an even better job of shutting down all content from violent extremist groups 90 10 83 17 90 10 91 9 90 10 93 7 86 14 91 9 96 4

Teaching why violent extremism is wrong in every school 90 10 85 15 90 10 87 13 91 9 89 11 90 10 94 6 93 7

Seizing bank accounts of groups accused of supporting terrorism 89 11 85 15 90 10 89 11 89 11 92 8 90 10 79 21 92 8

Asking Muslim leaders to declare definitively that Islam does not in any way condone violent extremism or the creation of a caliphate

88 12 80 20 88 12 92 8 89 11 93 7 84 16 85 15 96 4

Asking Muslim religious leaders to declare definitively that Islam does not in any way allow Muslims to accuse others of apostasy 88 12 80 20 87 13 88 12 89 11 88 12 85 15 89 11 96 4

Banning radical religious speeches that condone violence 88 12 75 25 88 12 91 9 88 12 91 9 86 14 89 11 96 4

Government programs to de-radicalize people who have gotten caught up in violent extremism 87 13 78 22 85 15 86 14 89 11 89 11 86 14 91 9 95 5

Creating a new multinational coalition to fight terrorism with police and military methods around the globe 85 15 82 18 83 17 87 13 91 9 92 8 79 21 80 20 88 12

Most people are in favor of a range of suggested measures for combatting violent extremism….

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FAVOR / OPPOSE GLOBAL U.S. U.K. FRANCE INDIA CHINA TURKEY EGYPT INDONESIA

Barring immigrants who have not passed rigorous screenings and background checks for connections to extremism and terrorism

84 16 81 19 82 18 79 21 84 16 89 11 83 17 83 17 90 10

Cutting off aid and relations to countries that allow the teaching of extremist ideologies on their schools 83 17 83 17 76 24 86 14 85 15 89 11 81 19 82 18 81 19

Strengthening global organizations like NATO to take on terrorism 83 17 80 20 86 14 90 10 89 11 86 14 72 28 71 29 88 12

Using drones to hunt down and destroy terrorist leaders wherever they are hiding 82 18 79 21 76 24 85 15 88 12 80 20 85 15 77 23 85 15

Requiring strict separation between religion and the laws of governing 81 19 77 23 82 18 84 16 85 15 87 13 82 18 69 31 76 24

Tightening immigration laws 81 19 79 21 81 19 81 19 86 14 83 17 77 23 68 32 94 6

Creating a counter local movement that takes on the views of extremists 81 19 74 26 77 23 82 18 87 13 86 14 79 21 89 11 77 23

Sending ground troops to wherever terrorists have safe havens in the world 79 21 71 29 69 31 78 22 85 15 87 13 73 27 79 21 87 13

Making internet companies responsible for use of their networks by terrorists 78 22 74 26 81 19 82 18 78 22 85 15 72 28 68 32 82 18

Allowing the government to monitor all phone records, email and social media for contacts with terrorists 71 29 60 40 63 37 78 22 76 24 88 12 65 35 64 36 74 26

…even with the methods that receive relatively less approval, the majority are in favor, overall and across each country.

28

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………What are the three most effective measures you want to

achieve

ID Cards and Education lead the list of measures people want to see

From the list of 21 potential measures that respondents want to see implemented, the following 5 are picked most as 1st/2nd/3rd choice options. Others are mentioned by less than 4 percent as their first choice, and by less than 20% at a combined level.

ID Cards is number 1 in every market (joint number 1 in Turkey with ‘teaching why violent extremism is wrong in every school’).

30%

14%7% 6% 4%

38%34%

21% 21% 20%

1st most effective

2nd/3rd most

effective

29

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global France UK US China India Indonesia Egypt Turkey

55%

72% 70%60% 59% 56%

45% 42%33%29%

18% 18% 17%26% 29%

36% 41%49%

Restrict movement between countries more Continue open borders

Should E.U. maintain open borders policy or restrict movement between countries to deter violent extremism?

Majority want to see more restriction in movement within E.U.

Across most markets – and particularly in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States – more want to see the European Union restrict movement between its countries rather than it maintain its open borders policies.

30

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Al Qaeda ISIS Taliban Boko Haram Al Shabaab Al-Nusra Front

Hizb Tahrir Hamas

55% 51% 49% 44% 39% 33% 33% 28%

11% 25%13% 23% 24%

15% 14% 26%

21% 12%23% 17% 18%

25% 25% 20%

13% 11% 14% 16% 19% 27% 28% 26%

Military Combat their ideology Economic Nothing/don’t know

Should we be taking military action, just applying economic sanctions, only combatting their ideology, or should nothing be done?

Many think military action should be taken against ISIS, Al Qaeda and the Taliban, but a mix of other approaches are seen as suitable for dealing with other movements Findings differ little between Muslim-majority countries and non-Muslim majority countries. The French are notably less likely to favor a military solution for ISIS (33 percent, as compared to 48 percent who see this as an option for dealing with Boko Haram).

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CRAFTING A COUNTER MESSAGE

32

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global China India Indonesia Turkey Egypt France US UK

55%

69% 67%58% 56% 53%

47% 44% 43%

Are cultural influencers like Hollywood, Bollywood, Nollywood, the music industry, and fashion or sports credible messengers for countering extremist propaganda?

While many see cultural influencers as being credible messengers….

A majority across the surveyed countries see cultural influencers as being credible messengers for countering extremist propaganda. Two-thirds in China and India agree; fewer than half do so in France, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

33

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Religious leaders Film industry Sports

58%

20%

7%

56%

16% 14%

47%

17% 20%

43%

26%18%

46%41%

7%

61%

23%

9%

42%38%

17%

33% 31%

19%


Which of the following are the most credible messengers

… religious leaders are felt to be the most credible messengers for countering extremist propaganda….India, Egypt and China differ from other markets - they consider the film industry almost as credible as religious leaders (within 2-5 percentage points).

Music industry not mentioned by more than 12% in any country, fashion by no more than 7%

34

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Who feel is best placed as a public spokesperson (1st/2nd

choice)

…and religious leaders are also felt to be best placed as public spokespeople

Religious leaders are the most common first choice across all markets except for Turkey – where politicians / world leaders are selected slightly more often (36 percent vs. 34 percent).

Prominence of religious leaders as a first choice peaks in Indonesia (71 percent) and Egypt (56 percent).

47%

18%7% 6% 5% 4% 4%

58%

38%

20% 17% 19%13% 13%1st most

effective

2ndmost effective

Sportsmen/women and other singers/actors were other options presented in survey – mentioned by 6-7% at a combined 1st/2nd choice level

35

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global France US China UK India Turkey Egypt Indonesia

38%45% 40% 43%

34%42% 39% 34%

25%

47%38% 34%

44% 41%51% 48%

55%

70%

Showing what extremists have done Explaining benefits of religious peace & harmony

Most effective: images showing what violent extremists have done or explaining benefits of religious harmony and peace

Three-in-four believe social media can be used for positive messaging to counter violent extremismAt 75 percent overall, the proportion is lower in the United States, France and United Kingdom (55-62 percent) vs. elsewhere (average 85 percent). There is considerable variation when people are asked whether images of what extremists have done OR positive messages promoting religious peace and harmony are shown.

36

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global Indonesia India Egypt China Turkey France UK US

56%

73%68% 67% 65% 65%

40% 38% 36%

53%

70% 66% 65%

52%62%

39% 37% 35%

Government information campaign Information campaign from private groups

Could a targeted and prolonged government information campaign (such as has been seen with anti-smoking and drunk driving and other social harms) be effective in deterring those who are most likely targets for radicalization

Targeted and prolonged information campaigns seen as likely to be effective by majority, globally

Even in markets like the United States, United Kingdom, and France, with a lower proportion feeling these sort of campaigns would work, more think they would be effective than think they wouldn’t.

37

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Importance of role of religious schools in countering

violent extremism

Religious schools can also play an important role in CVE13 percent see religious schools as providing a pathway to violent extremism ‘in all cases,’ with a further 51 percent thinking they do so ‘in some cases but we cannot generalize.’

However, they’re also seen as being part of the solution – by four-in-five globally and by at least two-thirds in any one of the countries surveyed.

Global Indonesia India Egypt Turkey China UK France US

46%

76%56% 52% 42% 40% 38% 35% 29%

80%

94%88%

82% 76%88%

78%72%

66%

Very

impo

rtan

tSo

mew

hat

impo

rtan

t

38

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Schools Mosques and other religious

places

At home with parents

Online through social networks

With peers in friend groups

All of the above

20% 20%

12%8%

3%

31%

25%

17%12%

7%2%

34%

17%22%

12%8%

4%

30%

Global Majority-Muslim Non-Muslim

Best place to combat the messages of violent extremism

Best places to combat extremist messages are schools and mosques (and other religious places)Those in Muslim-majority countries opt for schools – particularly in Turkey – while other nations are slightly more likely to see mosques and other religious places as being in the best position to counter extremist narratives.

Led by Turkey (34%)

Led by U.K. and China

(28%)

39

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Western countries skeptical on whether willingness to take in refugees can be used as a positive deterrent against radicalizationMajorities don’t think it will work as a deterrent (in contrast with views in Indonesia, Egypt and India).

However, across all the countries, majorities agree that governments should do more to integrate immigrants who have relocated to their countries (albeit in the West, the majorities are fairly slim).

Could a government's increased willingness to take in refugees from war torn regions be used as a positive deterrent against those on the verge of radicalisation or not?

France UK US Turkey Indonesia Egypt India

A lot more 23% 25% 24% 43% 46% 41% 34%

A lot more / more 51% 56% 57% 71% 71% 68% 71%

OK as it is 25% 29% 28% 15% 26% 24% 24%

Less / a lot less 25% 14% 15% 14% 3% 8% 5%

Should governments be doing more to positively engage with and integrate foreign communities who have relocated to their countries:


France UK US Turkey Indonesia Egypt India

NO 63% 61% 58% 51% 30% 27% 26%

ATTITUDES TOWARDS ISLAM AND RELIGION IN GENERAL

41

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

93% identify as Muslims 50%Daily religious

activity94% say religion is at the core of their personality and world Getting slightly more religious over recent years


activity

More87% say religion is at the core of their personality and world Getting a lot more religious over recent years

32%More

26%Less

58%More

18%Less


activity

More58% say religion is at the core of their personality and world Getting slightly less religious over recent years

19%More

23%Less

Religion is at the core of the lives of many in Muslim-majority countries

In Egypt and Indonesia, 71-73 percent of those surveyed considered themselves to be very religious. In both countries, on balance, people feel they’ve gotten more religious over the last few years.

Religion is relatively less central in Turkey (58% are religious) – but even so, the majority say it’s at their core.

42

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………


activity55% say religion is at the core of their personality and world Getting more religious over recent years


activity

More47% say religion is at the core of their personality and world Getting more religious over recent years

30%More

19%Less

22%More

12%Less


activity

More22% say religion is at the core of their personality and world No change over recent years

18%More

19%Less

Religion is also important to those in India and the United States, less so China

71 percent in India, 60 percent in the United States, and 54 percent in China say they’re religious; few identify as Muslims in these countries.

On balance, those in India and the United States claim to have gotten more religious in recent years.

43

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………


activity26% say religion is at the core of their personality and world Getting a touch less religious over recent years


activity

More20% say religion is at the core of their personality and world Getting a touch less religious over recent years

10%More

13%Less

9%More

12%Less

Religion is much less central in France and the U.K. In the United Kingdom, the proportion claiming to be religious is at roughly half the levels seen in the United States (28 percent vs. 60 percent), and the difference between the countries is also reflected in the proportions claiming to be ‘very religious’ (5 percent vs. 21 percent). 36 percent in France identify as religious, partly driven by a comparatively high portion among 18-25 year olds (47 percent, compared with 33 percent in the United Kingdom).

Getting more religious over recent years

Less

9% 12%41%More

18%Less

Among the small portion interviewed in France and the U.K.(n=68 respondents), Muslims have been getting more religious:

44

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Egypt Indonesia Turkey India US France China UK Muslims12% 14% 9% 12% 9% 5% 3% 4% 15%

42% 35% 39% 28%17% 15% 14% 11%

41%

39% 44% 43%37%

36% 38% 39%26%

39%

7% 6% 9%22%

38% 42% 45%59%

5%

Excellent Good Fair Poor

Understanding of the history of Islam

In most countries, majority claim to have at least a fair understanding of the history of Islam

In Muslim-majority countries, around half claim their understanding is ‘excellent’ or ‘good.’ In Western countries and China, ‘excellent’ / ‘good’ understanding falls to between 15 and 26 percent.

45

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global Egypt Turkey Indonesia India UK US China France

Women to cover their hair 66% 91% 55% 83% 52% 63% 70% 77% 42%

Women to cover their full bodies 61% 80% 53% 74% 56% 58% 68% 69% 33%

Sharia Law to be the law of the country 42% 77% 26% 35% 29% 46% 55% 50% 26%

Bans the playing of music 24% 37% 10% 12% 20% 28% 38% 28% 21%

Women to not be educated 22% 5% 9% 4% 16% 31% 44% 41% 19%

Does The Quran require?:

Understanding of Quran’s requirements varies considerably

In Egypt, where most have read the Quran thoroughly, most agree that Islam requires women to cover their hair and full bodies (a view shared in Indonesia), and for Sharia to be the law of the land.

In countries where there is less familiarity with Islam -- namely the United States, United Kingdom, and China -- significant minorities think Islam requires women not to be educated and bans the playing of music.

Global Egypt Turkey Indonesia India UK US China France

Familiar 55% 96% 98% 73% 70% 38% 31% 27% 16%

Read at least some parts 41% 95% 90% 70% 29% 14% 13% 19% 12%

Read thoroughly 19% 69% 35% 35% 6% 5% 3% 3% 4%

Memorized passages 32% 85% 76% 64% 18% 5% 4% 13% 8%

Familiarity with The Quran:

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Global Turkey UK India France US Egypt Indonesia

67%82% 76% 71% 68% 67%

51% 47%

22%14%

9% 22% 14% 17%33% 47%

12% 4% 15% 7% 18% 16% 15% 6%

Separate Should be one Don’t know

Should politics, government and religion be one, or should they be separate

Most agree politics, government and religion should be kept separate

Within Muslim-majority countries like Egypt and Indonesia, significant portions don’t believe in separation between state and religion. However, in Turkey, more than eight-in-ten do believe these should be kept separate.

Indonesia is the one country split down the middle – and among Indonesian Muslims, more feel that politics, government and religion ‘should be one’ (56 percent vs. 39 percent ‘separate’).


……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

16% 11%

24%33%

22% 19%9% 9% 10%

16%9% 7%

75% 80%

66%

51%

69% 74%

To be more religious To be less religious Neither

Majority MuslimNon-Majority Muslim TurkeyEgypt Indonesia

Do you think that you are under pressure to be more religious these days, under pressure to be less religious or neither

…and in Muslim-majority countries some feel they are under pressure to be more religious

One-in-three Egyptians feel under pressure to be more religious, echoed by around one-fifth of Turks and Indonesians.

Two-thirds of Turks and Egyptians (66-67 percent) say the pressure comes from local government. Indonesians cite a combination of friends (42 percent) and local religious leaders (40 percent).

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Global

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ISIS/Daesh Al Qaeda The Taliban Al Shabaab Boko Haram

63% 61% 59%52% 51%

15%20%

24% 22%14%

Non-Majority Muslim Majority Muslim

Proportion agreeing that these groups/organizations should be called Islamic

In Muslim-majority countries, less than a quarter of respondents consider groups such as ISIS and the Taliban ‘Islamic’ – in contrast to elsewhere

Muslim-majority countries do not consider groups such as ISIS, AQ and its affiliates, and the Taliban as Islamic.

The French are the most likely to consider each group Islamic, peaking at 79-81 percent for ISIS and Al Qaeda, with the United Kingdom tending to be lowest at 36-48 percent for the various groups.

Views from around the Globe: Countering Violent Extremism

Government & Nonprofit

Transcript of Views from around the Globe: Countering Violent Extremism