Updated with polling data
from 2010 Spring survey

Key Indicators Database

Islamic Extremism

Full question wording: Some people think that suicide bombing and other forms of violence against civilian targets are justified in order to defend Islam from its enemies. Other people believe that, no matter what the reason, this kind of violence is never justified. Do you personally feel that this kind of violence is often justified to defend Islam, sometimes justified, rarely justified, or never justified?

Notes: Asked of Muslims only.

Support for Suicide Bombing

Is suicide bombing justifiable?

chart table map

Percent of Muslims responding Often/sometimes justified, all years measured

Country 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
View trend for Bangladesh on this question Bangladesh 44 - - - 20 - - -
View trend for Britain on this question Britain - - - 16 - - - -
View trend for Egypt on this question Egypt - - - 28 8 13 15 20
View trend for Ethiopia on this question Ethiopia - - - - 18 - - -
View trend for France on this question France - - - 16 - - - -
View trend for Germany on this question Germany - - - 8 - - - -
View trend for Ghana on this question Ghana 30 - - - - - - -
View trend for Indonesia on this question Indonesia 26 - 15 10 10 11 13 15
View trend for Israel on this question Israel - - - - - - 7 -
View trend for Ivory Coast on this question Ivory Coast 56 - - - 30 - - -
View trend for Jordan on this question Jordan 43 - 57 29 23 25 12 20
View trend for Kuwait on this question Kuwait - - - - 21 - - -
View trend for Lebanon on this question Lebanon 74 - 39 - 34 32 38 39
View trend for Malaysia on this question Malaysia - - - - 26 - - -
View trend for Mali on this question Mali - - - - 39 - - -
View trend for Morocco on this question Morocco - - - - 11 - - -
View trend for Nigeria on this question Nigeria 47 - - 46 42 32 43 34
View trend for Pakistan on this question Pakistan 33 41 25 14 9 5 5 8
View trend for Palestinian ter. on this question Palestinian ter. - - - - 70 - 68 -
View trend for Senegal on this question Senegal - - - - 18 - - -
View trend for Spain on this question Spain - - - 16 - - - -
View trend for Tanzania on this question Tanzania 18 - - - 11 12 - -
View trend for Turkey on this question Turkey 13 15 14 17 16 3 4 6
View trend for Uganda on this question Uganda 30 - - - - - - -
View trend for Uzbekistan on this question Uzbekistan 7 - - - - - - -