Poll Tracker

An overwhelming majority of Americans believe that it is important for President Obama to improve U.S. relations with Muslim nations and most believe Obama will strike a strategy for doing so that is "about right," Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted March 26-29.

Eighty-one percent believe the U.S. needs to better its relations with the Muslim world compared to 18 percent who say it is not important. Sixty-five percent believe Obama will approach this challenge correctly, while 22 percent say he will go too far and 9 percent say "not far enough." In his inaugural address, Obama pledged to find a "new way forward" with Muslim countries.

Americans have an unfavorable opinion of Islam by 48 percent to 41 percent with 11 percent undecided. Fifty-eight percent regard Islam as a peaceful religion, while 29 percent say it encourages violence, with 13 percent undecided.