Majority of World Muslims: Islam Belongs in Politics

Majority of world's Muslims say Islam has place in politics
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 6, 2010 2:55 PM CST
Majority of World Muslims: Islam Belongs in Politics
Pakistani Muslims arrive in Raiwind near Lahore, Pakistan to attend the Islamic congregation on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010.   (AP Photo/K.M.Chaudary)

A majority of the world’s Muslims want their religion to influence politics, a Pew Research poll finds. In Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, and Nigeria, majorities would back the legalization of stoning to punish adultery, the amputation of thieves’ hands, and the death penalty for converts from Islam to other religions, the Los Angeles Times reports. Some 85% of Pakistani respondents voiced support for segregating the sexes in the workplace.

Turkey’s Muslims were the most mixed on Islam in politics; slightly more than 50% had positive takes on the role the religion does or should play. Respondents had mixed opinions about militant religious institutions such as Hamas and Hezbollah: Those from countries like Jordan tended to support both groups; the opposite was the case in Pakistan and Turkey. Every country strongly opposed al-Qaeda except Nigeria, where 49% approved of the group.
(More Muslims stories.)

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