What facts triggered Musty, this time? These:
But alongside these reports of discrimination, a similar – and growing – share (49%) of Muslim Americans say someone has expressed support for them because of their religion in the past year. And 55% think Americans in general are friendly toward U.S. Muslims, compared with just 14% who say they are unfriendly.
In spite of the ongoing assault on American values by the radical right, it seems that Americans are becoming more tolerant of their Muslim neighbors, not less. Hence musty's tantrum.
Despite the concerns and perceived challenges they face, 89% of Muslims say they are both proud to be American and proud to be Muslim. Fully eight-in-ten say they are satisfied with the way things are going in their lives. And a large majority of U.S. Muslims continue to profess faith in the American dream, with 70% saying that most people who want to get ahead can make it in America if they are willing to work hard.
American Muslims are like the rest of us. They came here or their forebearers came here, to take part in the American Dream. They've bought into the values of America that say you can make something of yourself, if you work at it.
Overall, eight-in-ten Muslims (82%) say they are either very concerned (66%) or somewhat concerned (16%) about extremism in the name of Islam around the world. This is similar to the percentage of the U.S. general public that shares these concerns (83%), although Muslims are more likely than U.S. adults overall to say they are very concerned about extremism in the name of Islam around the world (66% vs. 49%).
Like other Americans, they are alarmed at extremism elsewhere and here. For good reason. Many of them came here to escape that extremism, and they are concerned about the small (and fortunately shrinking) number of lunatics who would do them harm in America. My former asst. coach fled the Middle East specifically because he wanted to be free, and believed that America is the land of opportunity. And he made good.