Myth #1: The Muslim population in the West is growing fast and will soon become a majority in Europe – and a major presence in other parts of the world.
The facts: Muslim population in 2012, proportionate to total population
- Europe: 44 million (6 per cent)
- United States: 2.6 million (0.8 per cent)
- Canada: 940,000 (2.8 per cent)
The facts: Muslim population in 2030, proportionate to total population
- Europe (including Russia): 58 million (8 per cent )
- United States:6.2 million (1.7 per cent)
- Canada:2.7 million (6.6 per cent)
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Myth #2: Islamic beliefs lead to higher birth rates.
The facts: Fertility rates across Muslim-majority countries
- 1995: 4.3 children per family
- 2010: 2.9 children per family
- 2035: 2.3 children per family
The facts: Muslim birth rates in:
- Iran: 1.7 children
- Turkey:2.15 children
- United Arab Emirates: 1.9 children
- Lebanon:1.86 children
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Myth #3: Muslim immigrants are overwhelmingly guided by a religion that they regard as more an ideology than a spiritual faith.
The facts: Rates of religious activity among the 4.7 million Muslims in France, which has Western Europe's largest Muslim population
- Regularly attend religious services: 8-15 %
- Attend a mosque every Friday: 5 %
- Claim no religious affiliation: 20 %
- Say they never pray: 28 %
- Support ban of hijab in classrooms: 42%
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Myth #4: Significant numbers of Muslims cheer for terrorist violence.
The facts: Those who agree with the statement that "attacks on civilians are morally justified."
- Muslims in France: 1%
- French natives: 2%
- Muslims in Germany: 1%
- German natives: 0.5%
- Muslims in Britain: 3%
- German natives: 2%