Forty-four Percent of American Muslims View Hamas Favorably; Our Response Must Be Dialogue, Not Despair

Hamas fighters on Feb. 22, 2025. Photo: Majdi Fathi via Reuters Connect When I read that 44 percent of American Muslims surveyed held a favorable view of Hamas, my first reaction was alarm. Hamas is…
Assessment
A poll showing 44 percent of American Muslims view Hamas favorably signals a serious rift within the community and between Muslims and Jews. The author, an Ismaili Muslim activist, argues for dialogue rather than despair, pointing to a recent interfaith gathering in London as a model. How American Muslim organizations respond to this data will shape broader communal trust and counter-extremism efforts.

