Paris attacks: Chart shows France holds most positive views of Muslim communities in Europe

Italy, Greece and Poland held the least favourable views on Muslim populations in their countries

People leave tributes to the victims of the Paris attacks (PA)

Attacks by jihadist militants and the dramatic rise in refugees seeking help in Europe have led to a renewed focus on Europe’s Muslim population.

Since the Paris attacks in which 129 people were brutally murdered by Isis militants and suicide bombers, the Slovakian Prime Minister has claimed his country is “monitoring every Muslim,” while Poland has demanded security guarantees before accepting refugees into the country.

But the sentiment towards the Muslim community in France is overwhelmingly favourable, according to research by the Pew Research Centre.

Of the seven European countries surveyed last spring, Germany, France and the UK have the biggest Muslim populations in their countries respectively, but France has the most positive views on followers of Islam.

A total of 72 per cent of French people surveyed held a favourable view of the Muslim community, closely followed by the UK’s 64 per cent and Germany’s 58 per cent.

Opinion in Spain was almost evenly divided, while Italy, Greece and Poland recorded largely negative views.