The survey took place between 23 and 26 January 2015 and was conducted throughout all of Russia in both urban and rural settings. The survey was carried out among 1600 people over the age of 18 in 134 localities of 46 of the country’s regions. The answer distribution is presented as percentages of the number of participants along with data from previous surveys. The statistical error of these studies does not exceed 3.4%.
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN PARIS IN RESPONSE TO THE SATIRICAL MAGAZINE “CHARLIE HEBDO” AND THE RESULTING EVENTS?
|
I have been closely following the events |
11 |
|
I have heard about them |
49 |
|
I heard something about them but don’t remember what |
25 |
|
I have heard nothing about them |
15 |
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT COULD BE THE REASON BEHIND THIS TERRORIST ATTACK? (In % of respondents who have heard something specific about the attack; multiple answers given)
|
Provocative cartoons published by “Charlie Hebdo” that offend the religious sensibilities of the believers |
59 |
|
Weakness of French authorities in effectively fighting terrorism |
19 |
|
The spread of Islamic fanaticism and the growth of Islamist groups who oppose democratic values and freedoms |
19 |
|
The consequences of France’s immigration policy, which is designed to allow immigrants into the country without significant adaptation |
16 |
|
The high number of Muslim immigrants in France |
14 |
|
The policy of multiculturalism and tolerance in Europe |
13 |
|
France’s rigid foreign policy in the Middle East (toward Syria, Iran, and others) |
8 |
|
Discrimination against Muslims in France, increasing Islamophobia |
4 |
|
It was a coincidence; terrorist attacks can happen anywhere |
2 |
|
It is difficult to say |
6 |
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MEASURES SHOULD THE FRENCH AUTHORITIES TAKE TO PREVENT MORE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THEIR COUNTRY? (multiple answers given)
|
Toughen the immigration policy, reducing the flow of immigrants into the country |
30 |
|
Fight Al-Qaida more actively and increase international cooperation to combat terrorism |
25 |
|
Establish control over the Muslim population in France and prevent the spread of radical Islamic ideas and values |
23 |
|
Change French foreign policy in the Middle East; no longer cooperate with the US in this region |
16 |
|
Increase the rights (educational, labor, political) of Muslim citizens to better allow for assimilation and equalization of Muslims with the ‘indigenous’ French population |
12 |
|
Begin Secret Service surveillance of Muslims in France |
6 |
|
Require all Muslims to leave the country |
4 |
|
Nothing. French authorities are already doing all that is possible |
8 |
|
It is difficult to say |
24 |
MANY MEDIA OUTLETS HAVE NAMED CARTOONS PUBLISHED BY “CHARLIE HEBDO” OF ISLAM AND MUSLIMS AS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN PARIS. SOME HAVE CONDEMNED THESE CARTOONS, SAYING THAT THEY MOCK THE ISLAM RELIGION AND OFFEND MUSLIMS. OTHERS SAY THAT THESE CARTOONS SHOULD BE ALLOWED, AS THEY REPRESENT JUST ONE POINT OF VIEW IN A FREE SOCIETY. WITH WHICH OF THESE OPINIONS DO YOU AGREE MORE?
|
Definitely the first (not allowed) |
36 |
|
Probably the first (not allowed) |
32 |
|
Probably the second (allowed) |
8 |
|
Definitely the second (allowed) |
4 |
|
It is difficult to say |
21 |
DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS?
|
|
“Publishing cartoons of the prophet Muhammad should not be allowed, since it offends Muslims.” |
“Freedom of speech is the most important principle of a democratic society. By refusing to publish cartoons of the prophet Muhammad, the media is appeasing the terrorists.” |
|
Completely agree |
39 |
6 |
|
Somewhat agree |
33 |
20 |
|
Somewhat disagree |
9 |
31 |
|
Completely disagree |
3 |
19 |
|
It is difficult to say |
16 |
24 |
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ROSKOMNADZOR (THE FEDERAL SERVICE FOR SUPERVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND MASS MEDIA) THAT RUSSIAN MEDIA NOT PUBLISH RELIGIOUS-THEMED CARTOONS?
|
Very positive |
27 |
|
Somewhat positive |
36 |
|
Indifferent |
22 |
|
Somewhat negative |
5 |
|
Very negative |
2 |
|
It is difficult to say |
10 |
IN YOU OPINION, WHAT DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION REALLY MEAN?
|
An attempt by Russian authorities to protect the feelings of believers and prevent religious conflicts |
65 |
|
The latest round of limits to personal freedom in Russia, for which the current situation in Paris is only a pretense |
16 |
|
It is difficult to say |
18 |
WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS MUSLIMS?
|
|
Jan. 08 |
Jan. 15 |
|
Entirely positive |
23 |
11 |
|
Somewhat positive |
27 |
18 |
|
Neutral, indifferent |
32 |
51 |
|
Somewhat negative |
6 |
12 |
|
Entirely negative |
2 |
2 |
|
It is difficult to say |
9 |
5 |
HOW WOULD YOU REACT IF THE FOLLOWING WERE BUILT IN YOU CITY OR REGION?
|
|
A mosque |
An orthodox church |
|
Entirely positive |
13 |
31 |
|
Somewhat positive |
17 |
29 |
|
Neutral, indifferent |
36 |
29 |
|
Somewhat negative |
16 |
4 |
|
Entirely negative |
11 |
3 |
|
It is difficult to say |
6 |
5 |
IN YOUR OPINION, HOW HAVE RELATIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS IN RUSSIA CHANGED OVER THE LAST FIFTEEN YEARS?
|
They have improved |
17 |
|
They have gotten worse |
28 |
|
They have not changed |
39 |
|
It is difficult to say |
16 |
DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ISLAMIC RELIGION AND CULTURE, AND IF YES, WHERE DID YOU LEARN ABOUT IT? (no more than three answers)
|
Yes, from the media (TV, newspapers) |
33 |
|
Yes, from Muslim friends or relatives |
19 |
|
Yes, from formal education (school, university) |
13 |
|
Yes, I have read about Islam |
11 |
|
Yes, from the Internet |
10 |
|
Yes, from travels in Muslim countries |
6 |
|
I don’t know anything about Islamic religion and culture |
26 |
|
It is difficult |
6 |
WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE MAIN HOLY BOOK OF MUSLIMS?
|
Koran |
84 |
|
Sharia |
2 |
|
The Bible |
1 |
|
Talmud |
1 |
|
Sunna |
<1 |
|
Veda |
<1 |
|
It is difficult to say |
11 |
Translated by the Graduate Initiative in Russian Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies.