ISLAM: SPAIN; MAJORITY AGAINST HEADSCARF, BUT SUPPORT CROSS

This result is a bit screwy, no? I quote:

The majority of Spaniards, independently of ideology, age and social status, are against the wearing of the hijab, the Islamic headscarf, in schools, while almost half accept the presence of crucifixes in classrooms. The results come from a survey carried out throughout Europe, the European Mindset report, which was commissioned by the BBVA Foundation on the subjects of identity and European vision and values. The findings were published today in the Spanish press. The report, which was carried out at the end of 2009, is not related to the case of the Spanish schoolgirl of Moroccan descent, Nejwa Malha, who was sent home from a school in Pozuelo for wearing the hijab. The report shows that 49% of Spaniards and 54% of Europeans approve of crucifixes being worn, while only 24% of those interviewed in Spain and 26% in Europe are against the idea.

Even in a liberal country like Spain, we have a long way to go for secularism to fully take hold. I also wonder how far did the Madrid bombings influence this? But this doesnt seem to be restricted to Spain, another report here:

A Europe marked by contradictions in its relations with religion emerges from the European Mindset report, commissioned by the BBVA Foundation on European identity, vision and values. The report is based on an opinion poll carried out in 12 EU countries, Turkey and Switzerland. In EU countries, 52.6% of the population refuses the wearing of the Islamic veil, as compared to the exhibition of crucifixes in classrooms which is accepted by 54.4% of those interviewed. The report emphasizes that religion remains an element of division in Europe and that religious values continue to represent a key reference, like ethical principles or family structure. In commenting these results, BBVA Foundation Director, Rafael Pardo, reported by El Pais, underlined that ''there are external religious signs which are already a part of the culture of various societies and the majority of people accept those pertaining to the Christian religion''. The study also shows that in forming a judgment concerning the veil, there is no significant influence of ideology, religion, sex or class of interviewees. Young people and highly educated people are also the most permissive on the use of the Muslim veil in class. Behind the average European's opinion are to be found great differences, for example, between Denmark, in which the greatest number of people are in favour of exhibiting religious symbols, and Bulgaria, France or Germany, in which the greater number of people are contrary. On the other hand, 68% of Europeans (68%) declare their affiliation to some religion, even if the level of religious participation varies a lot. Spain is placed in an intermediate position with a medium-low level of religious participation; on the other hand, as concerns religious affiliation, 72% of the Spanish declare they belong to some religion. On euthanasia, the average European acceptance levels out at 6.3 points over 10, reaching 6.8 in Spain, but is higher in Belgium or Switzerland, the only European country where helping someone to commit suicide is not a crime. Abortion divides European public opinion the most: just over half of the Spanish are in favour of abortion, which provokes a greater refusal in countries where religion is more practiced, such as in Catholic Poland, Orthodox Greece or Muslim Turkey.

And the boring Belgians, not having anything else to do, like running their own country with a stable government, decide to go ban the burqa.