The Pew Research Centre, an American think-tank chaired by US former secretary of state Madeleine Albright, has recently released a study on American Muslims. For the very first time, an evaluation of their demographic importance, their level of political, economic and social integration and their general attitude towards the American society has been done. Their population is estimated at 2.35 million, which represents 0.6 per cent of the US population. It is not a large community but still an important and a growing one. The results of this study are fascinating and astonishing. They could correct some false ideas.

First of all, American Muslims stick to American societal values such as success by working hard and merit. They feel strongly dedicated to American citizenship. They have no problem of integration. This could be explained by the fact that, contrary to the situation prevailing in Europe, the average income for Muslims is similar to the national one. Economic inequalities are much stronger in western Europe, where Muslims are too often socially poorly ranked. Nothing like that in the US where 26 per cent of Muslims are ranked among the high income bracket, 39 per cent belong to the middle income and 35 per cent have weak income. These figures reflect the national average: there is no difference between Muslims and non- Muslims.

Same could be said about the access to universities in general and even to the best ones. Therefore, it is understandable that 71 per cent of American Muslims believe in equality of rights and possibilities of promotion on the social ladder. This opinion is even above the national average (by 7 points).

This comparison is a slap in the face for Europe, and makes clear that the difficulties of Muslim minorities' integration do not lie in religious, ethnic or cultural factors but rather have social and economical roots. The problem of integration in Europe stems from discrimination. The lack of discrimination in the US explains the success of the Muslim integration.

Although 53 per cent of American Muslims admit that it has become more difficult to be a Muslim in the United States since the 9/11 attacks, they are still satisfied with their way of life and willing to be assimilated. At the same time, 43 per cent of them think that Muslims immigrating to the US should adopt American customs and rules, whereas only 26 per cent of them think they should remain distinct. But for 63 per cent of them, there is no incompatibility between being faithful and living in a modern society. As far as foreign policy and extremism are concerned, the Muslim minority's opinion largely reflects the national average views.

The only important difference relates to the Muslims' opinion about the anti-terrorism policy led by the Bush administration. The US-led war on terror is considered by 75 per cent of American Muslims as not being truly devoted to the fight against international terrorism.

Americans Muslims appear to be a rather moderate community as far as extremism is concerned and 61 per cent of them are worried about the surge of radical Islam (78 per cent for others Americans). A majority of 78 per cent of them think that suicide attacks are never justified, and only 8 per cent think to the contrary. As much as 68 per cent are hostile to Al Qaida and only 5 per cent admit their sympathy for it. However, one can notice a kind of radicalisation among young American Muslims (under-21).

Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, 61 per cent of American Muslims tend to consider that Palestinian rights and needs could be recognised and taken care of without questioning Israel's existence.

To make a comparison, we just have to remember that in the Middle East, depending on countries, 70 to 90 per cent of the population believe that there is an incompatibility between the existence of Israel and the recognition of Palestinians rights.

This study underlines the attractiveness of American society for a majority of outsiders, including Muslims. Stunningly, other Pew Research Centre's studies have shown that the US has never been so unpopular in the world than today. How can we explain such a paradox? Though the American way of life is attractive, their current foreign policy, made of aggressive unilateralism and double-standard diplomacy, causes fears and hostility.

The Iraqi war, as well as the biased US policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have led many Muslims in the world to believe that the US is hostile to them. We can just imagine how strong American leadership on world affairs could be if only (but it is a big if) Washington had a more moderate and fair international policy.