LA Times poll: Americans search for answers about Islam after 9/11

LOS ANGELES (AP) A third of Americans have made an effort to learn more about Islam since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but 37 percent continue to have an unfavorable impression of the religion, according to a Los Angeles Times poll.

A survey taken last month of 1,372 adults nationwide found 34 percent of Americans have tried to find out more about Islam by reading books or attending lectures. Fifty-six percent reported they made no effort, while 7 percent said they already knew about it. The remaining 3 percent reported they were unsure.

The survey published in Saturday's edition also found that nearly six in 10 Americans, or 58 percent, who made an effort to learn about the Islamic faith said their view remained unchanged. Seventeen percent reported their views became more favorable, while 21 percent said they became less favorable.

Women were more likely than men to change to a less favorable opinion of the religion after doing some research, the poll found.

Americans' overall impression of Islam appears to be slightly more negative than positive, with 37 percent reporting they have an unfavorable view of Islam. Thirty-five percent said they didn't know or hadn't heard enough to form an opinion, and 28 percent had a positive outlook.

Yet 39 percent of those surveyed said they had a very or somewhat favorable impression of American Muslims, while 35 percent were not sure. Twenty-six percent said they had an unfavorable impression.

The poll, with an error margin of plus or minus 3 percentage points, was conducted Aug. 22-25.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)