Muslims in Ireland
The Indo has details of a survey about Muslim attitudes in Ireland. Ireland has a Muslim population of about 40,000, which make up about one percent of the population.
73% believe they are fully integrated into Irish society, with 77% saying they feel accepted here.
These stats are generally quite positive and significantly higher than I would have expected given how many Muslims come from societies which are completely alien to Western culture.
More than a third—36%—would prefer Ireland to be ruled under Sharia law, while 37% would like Ireland to be governed as an Islamic state.
More than half of young Muslims—57%—believe Ireland should become an Islamic State.
These figures are rather alarming depending of course on how strongly Moslems would “prefer” Ireland is to be governed as an Islamic state. If they are prepared to fight for it and impose their will on the other 99% percent of the population, then we’ve got a major problem.
It found 28% of young Muslims aged between 16 and 26 believe violence for political ends is sometimes justified.
Taken at first glance, 38% may sound quite alarming. But then again if you asked most Irish people if they are thought the 1916 rebellion against British rule was justified, you would end up with a figure more than twice as large. Taking Carl von Clausewitz’ adage that “war was a continuation of politics by other means”, this would include almost any war, including justified wars like WWII, I guess it depends on whether or not those wars fit the definition of ‘terrorism’.
Almost one-in-five—19%—said they “respect” al-Qa’ida terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden, but the same number of those polled supported US President George Bush. However, the findings generally reveal strong liberal opinions among Irish-based Muslims.
19% percent saying they respect Osama Bin Laden is another alarming figure. Especially taking account the fact that him and his followers have killed is so many of their fellow Muslims in pursuit of his goals. On the positive side, the same number supporting George Bush at least shows a refreshing diversity of opinion among the Muslim population.