Poverty, not religious differences, fueling Muslim tensions with the West, report claims

Joblessness and poverty are a more potent source of tension between Muslims and wider European and U.S. society than religious differences, one of the first major studies of Muslim integration since the Sept. 11 terror attacks claimed on Thursday.

Attacks by Islamic extremists on the United States and European capitals such as Madrid and London have sparked debate on whether a failure of Muslims to integrate into Western society has fueled extremism.

But a study of around 30,000 people in 27 countries by the Gallup polling company claims non-Muslims — including the public and lawmakers — have misunderstood the attitudes of most Muslims in the West, stifling attempts to promote understanding.

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