Over half of French people believe Islam is compatible with French society, a poll showed on Thursday, adding fuel to a public row over religion and identity.

The role of Islam in France, home to Europe’s biggest Muslim population, has come to dominate an increasingly vitriolic debate on national identity launched by President Nicolas Sarkozy, with the poll reflecting the public split.

The survey by pollster CSA for “Le Parisien” newspaper showed that only 54 percent of French thought Islam was no threat to their values, but it revealed a clear generational rift, with younger French being more open to Islam than their elders.

Among the under 30s, 68 percent said Islam was compatible with French society, a proportion that shrank with each age category until reaching 36 percent among those over 75.   »»» The Star (Malaysia)

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