The Week’s Survey on Muslim Youth, July, 2007

The Survey covered 1,073 young Indian Muslims of Agra, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Vadodara, Bhopal, Chennai, Kochi, Coimbatore, cuttack, Delhi, Guwahati, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Meerut, Mumbai, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Saharanpur, Varansi and Visakhapatnam.

Terrorism

Is the community targeted for the wrongs of other Muslims abroad?
Yes 55%
No 26%
Can’t say 19%

After any terrorist attack do you face problems from the authorities?
Yes 24%
Sometimes 32%
No 44%

Do you feel cut off from the mainstream?
Yes 15%
Sometimes 40%
No 32%
Can’t say 13%

Is jihad justifiable?
Yes 23%
NO 57%
Can’t say 20%

Personal Law

How would you react if religious heads issue a fatwa?
They are right and all Muslims should follow them 29%
Fatwas are illegal and should be banned 27%
They are absurd and should be ignored 22%
Can’t say 22%

Is the common civil code anti-Islamic?
Yes 40%
No 36%
Can’t say 24%

Should the Muslim personal law be revised?
Yes 43%
No 39%
Can’t say 18%

If a Muslim boy marries outside his community, then
Does the Muslim society accept them? Yes 40%
Nobody accepts them No 38%
Can’t say 22%

Should Muslim women and men have equal legal rights?
Yes 50%
No 31%
Can’t say 19%

Employment

Do Muslims face discrimination in getting jobs/promotions?
Yes, I have had problems 14%
Yes, a family member had problems 23%
Yes, a friend/relative has faced problems 30%
No 33%

Our biggest problems are:
Inability to get better educational opportunities 25%
Inability to get better job opportunities 28%
Inability to get into the mainstream 15%
Inability to get better political leadership 17%
Other/Can’t say 15%

Politics

Do politicians use Muslims as a vote bank?
Yes 62%
No 22%
Can’t say 16%

Should there be an all-India Muslim political party?
Yes 45%
No 32%
Can’t say 23%

Are you optimistic about your future in India?
Yes 59%
No 19%
Can’t say 22%

Muslims are better off in ….
Pakistan 11%
Bangladesh 15%
India 53%
Can’t say 21%

Reservation

Should Muslims have reservation in educational institutions?
Yes 69%
No 21%
Can’t say 10%

In jobs?
Yes 64%
No 18%
Can’t say 18%

In elections?
Yes 56%
No 26%
Can’t say 18%