Study Dispels Myths On Muslim Population

October 17, 2009

Author: Olivia Ward

Source: The Toronto Star

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/711744--study-dispels-myths-on-muslim-population

A typical Muslim speaks Arabic and lives in the Middle East.

Most of Europe's Muslims are migrants clustered in the Netherlands and France.

Wrong on both counts.

According to a three-year mapping project on the global Muslim population, by the Washington-based Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, Asia is home to the majority of Muslims.

And most of Europe's Muslims are in Russia, where they practised Islam as early as the 8th century.

"My hope is that the study will contribute to positive dialogue rather than speculation," said Pew senior researcher Brian Grim. "It's easy for facts to get lost in the discussion of the day." p>