Chatham House, an independent policy institute based in London, recently surveyed over 10,000 people from 10 European countries to find out how they feel about immigration from Muslim-majority countries. People in this part of the world are overwhelmingly against welcoming immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries, the survey has revealed.

Interestingly, the survey was conducted before President Donald Trump banned citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. In the survey, respondents were asked to express their opinion on the following statement: ‘All further migration from mainly Muslim countries should be stopped’.

Over 55 per cent respondents across Europe stated that they agree with the statement. At least 25 per cent said they neither agreed nor disagreed and 20 per cent disagreed. Over 40 per cent of the respondents in 8 countries agreed that all migration from predominantly Muslim countries should be stopped.

Over 71 per cent in Poland, 53 per cent in Germany, 51 per cent in Italy, 47 per cent in the United Kingdom and 41 per cent in Spain said they agree. In Austria, Poland, Hungary, France and Belgium, almost 38 per cent of the respondents ‘strongly agreed’ with the statement. The percentage of those who disagreed in any particular country did not rise above 32.

The results are in line with a Pew survey of 10 European countries in 2016, which asked people to express their views on Muslims living in their country. Majority of respondents held an unfavorable view of the community. Hungary topped the chart with 72 per cent, followed by 69 per cent in Italy and 66 per cent in Poland.