LOS ANGELES, Aug 22: According to results of a poll released on Wednesday by a national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group, around 57 per cent of American Muslims say that they experienced bias or discrimination since the Sept 11 terrorist attacks.

But the poll of 945 individuals, conducted by the California- based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in July- August, indicates more than three-in-four American Muslims (79 per cent) also experienced kindness or support from friends or colleagues from other faiths.

That kindness often took the form of verbal reassurances, support during the anti-Muslim backlash following the attacks and even offers to help guard local mosques.

“The result of this survey show that while we have all gone through a traumatic year in our nation’s history, there is still hope for the future,” CAIR executive director Nihad Awad said.

When asked to name the political party that best represents the interests of the American Muslim community, more respondents named the Democratic party (16 per cent) and Green party (5 per cent), than the Republican party (3 per cent).

Yet 36 per cent of Muslim respondents said they voted for George W. Bush in the last presidential election.

There are an estimated seven million Muslims in the United States.