Migration does not affect the number of Muslims on a global scale, but increases it in certain regions, including North America and Europe.
In a 2017 poll, Americans were asked to rate representatives of nine religious groups on a scale of “relationship thermometer” from 0 to 100, where 0 is the coldest, negative attitude, and 100 is the warmest, positive attitude. On average, Americans gave Muslims a rating of 48, roughly the same as that of atheists (50).
The other seven religions (Judaism, Catholicism, Traditional Protestantism, Evangelical Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Mormonism) are better treated by Americans. But attitudes towards Muslims (as well as towards some other groups) have improved in recent years: in a similar survey in 2014, Muslims received a rating of 40.
Republicans and those who support them treat Muslims significantly worse than Democrats (ratings 39 and 56, respectively).
In addition, Republicans are more concerned about Islamic extremism than Democrats in the world (67% of the polled Republicans and 40% of Democrats speak about strong concern) and in the United States (64% and 30%, respectively). A December 2016 poll showed that Republicans are more likely than Democrats to agree that Islam encourages violence more than other religions (70% and 26%, respectively).
Most Americans (57%) agree that there is strong discrimination against Muslims in the United States, but the parties are also divided on this issue: 69% of Democrats think so, and 40% of Republicans. In a January 2016 poll, about half of Americans (49%) believe that at least “some” Muslims in the United States are anti-American. There are more adherents of this opinion than those who believe that only “a few” Muslims or “none” are so inclined.
The partisanship of positions on this issue has noticeably increased over the past 14 years (see graph). But according to a February 2017 poll, most Americans do not believe Muslims in the United States are massively supporting extremism. About 40% believe that there is little support for extremism, and 15% – that there is none at all. About 25% believe that a significant number of American Muslims support extremism, and 11% believe that the level of support is very high.