Polls

Few Muslims 'back suicide bombs'

Support for suicide bombings against civilians has fallen sharply across the Muslim world since 2002, a major survey has suggested.

However, 70% of Palestinians interviewed said they believed such attacks were sometimes justifiable.

The Global Opinion Trends survey, by the US-based Pew Research Centre, polled 45,000 people in 47 countries.

It also found widespread optimism in poor countries that the next generation will enjoy better lives.

And it suggested that people viewed the US as the most friendly country in the world and the most feared.

Can we now stop demonising and lumping all Muslims together? This poll clearly show that even amongst what appears to be a monolithic bloc there is a diversity of opinion, fluctuating views, just like in any community.