Journal Article

The Attitudes Of College Students Towards Muslims

Alduraywish, Munirah, Clayton, Obie

2018

Overview

This study examines the attitudes of American college students toward Muslims within a socio-cultural context shaped by heightened debates about Islam and its followers. The author begins with a theoretical overview of attitude studies, noting that perceptions of religious and cultural groups are influenced by factors such as media representation, education, and family background. The research emphasizes that events like the September 11 attacks had a profound impact on students' perceptions of Islam, often reinforcing negative or distorted images. A field-based methodology was employed, using questionnaires administered to a sample of university students to gauge their views on issues such as willingness to interact with Muslims, perceptions of Muslim integration into American society, and opinions on political matters involving the Islamic world. The findings revealed a spectrum of responses: some students expressed positive attitudes reflecting openness and appreciation of cultural diversity, while others displayed negative attitudes shaped by stereotypical media portrayals. The study further showed that higher education levels and direct personal contact with Muslims correlated with more positive attitudes, whereas lack of knowledge reinforced stereotypes. The paper concludes that addressing negative attitudes requires educational initiatives and awareness programs within universities, as well as fostering interfaith and intercultural dialogue to promote tolerance and mutual understanding. Abstract Written by Dar AlMandumh, 2025, Using AI

• Publisher: الجمعية المصرية للأخصائيين الإجتماعيين
• Subject: القوانين والتشريعات / المعتقدات الدينية / الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية / حرية الاعتقاد