Pew Research Center survey shows US views of Islam deteriorate over 25 years

Summary

Recent surveys indicate that American perceptions of Islam have worsened significantly over the past 25 years. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 51 percent of U.S. adults now believe that Islam is more likely to encourage violence, a notable increase from just 25 percent in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, which were perpetrated by Al-Qaeda. This shift reflects a growing polarization within American society, with 76 percent of Republicans agreeing with the statement compared to only 29 percent of Democrats. Meanwhile, the number of mosques in the United States has more than doubled from 1,200 in 2000 to 2,800 by 2020, alongside an increase in the Muslim population to 5.5 million, indicating profound demographic changes at odds with shifting public sentiment.

Analysis

Statista: Statista is a platform that aggregates and presents market, consumer, and social data through infographics and reports. It featured analysis of Pew Research Center survey results on the deterioration of U.S. views toward Islam over the past 25 years. The service enables data-driven storytelling on topics including public opinion and cultural trends. George W. Bush: George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States. In the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, he visited the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C., and publicly stated that Islam is peace, reflecting sentiments at the time. His actions provide historical contrast to the increased polarization in public views documented in recent surveys. Katharina Buchholz: Katharina Buchholz is a senior data journalist at Statista who specializes in creating infographics and reports on politics, policy, and social issues. She contributed to coverage of the Pew findings regarding changing American perceptions of Islam. Her work appears across Statista and partner outlets, focusing on statistical insights into current events. Pew Research Center: Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, and content analysis on major issues. It recently released findings documenting more negative and polarized American attitudes toward Islam compared to surveys conducted shortly after the 9/11 attacks. The organization's data serves as the core source for analyses of long-term shifts in views on religion and society. Data Journalism Role: Statista and its journalists regularly visualize and contextualize findings from major research organizations to illustrate long-term social and cultural shifts. Public Opinion Trends: Pew Research Center continues to publish surveys in 2026 examining evolving American attitudes on religion, society, and related policy issues.

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