The Spanish Muslim community’s views on terrorism in the name of Islam and perceived discrimination: Socio-educational measures

Abstract

Terrorism in the name of Islam has become a pressing international problem. In Spain, research that enquires into the views of Muslims in order to analyse this phenomenon is thin on the ground. Accordingly, this study employs a quantitative methodology to examine the perception of personal discrimination and collective injustice among the Muslim community in Spain, as well as their views on terrorism in the name of Islam and its prevention in the socio-educational realm. To this end, a specially designed questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of 1157 first- and second-generation Muslim immigrants and converts. For the data analysis, descriptive, correlational and inferential statistics were employed, plus stepwise multiple regression models. The results reveal a high level of perceived personal discrimination, especially of the religious kind, and collective injustice, which is most worrying among second-generation Muslims. The respondents also overwhelmingly believed that injustices committed against Muslims did not justify the use of violence. Neither perceived personal discrimination, nor perceived collective injustice, nor a greater religiosity is associated with the greater likelihood of justifying violence. Lower academic qualifications, the feeling of not belonging to Spain or their country of origin or that of their parents, giving more importance to Islam in their lives and being unemployed are indeed associated with it. Certainly, there is a need for gaining a deeper understanding of Islam and for involving the Muslim collective in the conception, elaboration and implementation of these preventive measures.