A new Pew Research Center survey reveals that most countries with significant Muslim populations oppose the self-styled Islamic State (IS), with the notable exception of Pakistan where the majority offered no conclusive opinion.

The survey polled eleven countries with significant Muslim populations: Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Indonesia, Turkey, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Malaysia, Senegal and Pakistan. Most of these states are victims of militancy and terrorism.

Read: Islamic State a serious threat to Pakistan, Foreign secretary admits

In no country did more than 15 per cent of people speak favourably of IS. Middle-eastern countries of Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon (where ISIS attacked earlier this week), expressed an overall unfavourable view of IS, with some populations ranking at 99 per cent.

Also read: Anti-Islamic State graffiti emerges in Karachi

In Muslim countries of Turkey, Malaysia, Burkina Faso, Indonesia and Senegal, at least 60 to 70pc of the population opposed ISIS. Even in Nigeria, where the ISIS affiliated militant group Boko Haram is expanding its presence, 66pc of the population said they opposed the Islamic State.

In comparison, only 28pc Pakistanis expressed an unfavorable view of ISIS. 9pc said they supported it — a figure in line with the median — but a whopping 62pc offered no opinion.

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