1 in 4 Muslims say bombers OK

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1 in 4 Muslims say bombers OK

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BY RACHEL MONAHAN
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Wednesday, May 23rd 2007, 4:00 AM



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Nearly one in four young Muslim Americans say suicide bombings to defend their religion are justified, at least in some rare circumstances, a troubling new study shows.

In one of the most comprehensive nationwide surveys of U.S. Muslims, the Pew Research Center found that those between 18 and 29 were more likely to hold more extreme views.

Two percent of U.S. Muslims in that age group say suicide bombings against civilians can often be justified, 13% say the practice is sometimes justified and 11% say it is justified only rarely.

And though U.S. Muslims were far less accepting of suicide attacks than Muslims in Western Europe, 13% of U.S. Muslims overall said suicide bombings of civilians can be justified - at least in rare cases.

Local Muslims along Brooklyn's Atlantic Ave. echoed the poll findings yesterday.

Most were quick to denounce the killing of civilians under any circumstances. But one young woman took issue with even calling the practice of terrorists blowing themselves up along with their victims "suicide bombing."

"People have different ways of defending themselves," said the 21-year-old student, dressed head-to-toe in a traditional black hijab. She declined to give her name.

New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly has said he was concerned about the possibility of violence from Hamas supporters living in the U.S., and federal officials frequently warn against the threat of homegrown terrorists.

But there were far more disavowals of violence than voices in support. "I'm completely against defending Muslims with suicide," said Abderrahim Afellah, a 24-year-old janitor who lives in Brooklyn, calling it "prohibited" by Islam.



It would appear that the seeds of terror are present in the US. They do not have to, as those who champion continuing the war in Iraq, say follow us home if we leave.