Berlin, Dec 2, IRNA -- Germans are more intolerant of Muslims and their religion than their European neighbours, France, the Netherlands and Denmark, according to a study released by the University of Muenster on Thursday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Berlin, the head of the survey, Detlef Pollack stressed Germans were 'much more intolerant' of Islam and other non-Christian religions than their western European neighbors.
In Denmark, France and the Netherlands, a clear majority of those questioned viewed Muslims positively, the sociologist said.
However, in Germany 34 percent of the respondents in the western part of the country had a positive view of Muslims and only 26 percent in the formerly communist east, he added.
Meanwhile, around 50 percent of Danes and two-thirds of French and Dutch respondents supported the building of mosques, compared to less than 30 percent of Germans, according to Pollack.
Roughly 20 percent of Germans believe Islam is part of Europe, he said.Only 40 percent of West Germans had contact with Muslims compared to 16
percent of East Germans, Pollack added.
The expert urged the German government to deal with problem of Islamophobia
in a 'constructive and critical' manner.
The survey polled 1,000 people in each of the four countries this summer.
Germany's political leadership has repeatedly played down fears of millions
of German Muslims amid a deepening anti-Islamic mood in the country.
In Denmark, France and the Netherlands, a clear majority of those questioned viewed Muslims positively, the sociologist said.
However, in Germany 34 percent of the respondents in the western part of the country had a positive view of Muslims and only 26 percent in the formerly communist east, he added.
Meanwhile, around 50 percent of Danes and two-thirds of French and Dutch respondents supported the building of mosques, compared to less than 30 percent of Germans, according to Pollack.
Roughly 20 percent of Germans believe Islam is part of Europe, he said.Only 40 percent of West Germans had contact with Muslims compared to 16
percent of East Germans, Pollack added.
The expert urged the German government to deal with problem of Islamophobia
in a 'constructive and critical' manner.
The survey polled 1,000 people in each of the four countries this summer.
Germany's political leadership has repeatedly played down fears of millions
of German Muslims amid a deepening anti-Islamic mood in the country.
