Survey exposes French anxieties over Islam

The role of Islam in France was once again under the spotlight on Thursday after right-wing daily Le Figaro published the results of an opinion poll that suggested 43 percent of French people believe the religion is a "threat” to national identity.

Six out of ten French people believe the influence of Islam in France is "too big” and 43 percent see the religion as a "threat” to national identity, according to the results of an opinion poll published on Thursday.

The sensitive poll, which will likely cause ripples in a country home to Europe’s largest Muslim population, was carried out by Ifop polling institute for right-wing daily Le Figaro, which published the results under the headline "The image of Islam worsens in France”. (continue reading...)