A comprehensive study titled "The World's Muslims: Religion, Politics and Society" conducted between 2008 and 2012 focused on 38,000 people in 39 countries and territories drawn from a global Muslim community of 2.2 billion people.
A solid majority of Muslims, notably in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, were in favour of sharia -- traditional Islamic law -- being adopted as the law of the land.
The percentage of those in favour of sharia being implemented as their country's law varied from eight per cent in Azerbaijan to 99 per cent in Afghanistan.
However, in most countries surveyed, there was less support for severe punishments, such as cutting off the hands of thieves or executing people who convert from Islam to another faith.
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A majority of Muslims are also in favour of freedom of religion, even while backing sharia. In Pakistan, for example, 84 per cent of Muslims want sharia enshrined as official law but 75 per cent believe non-Muslims are free to practice their religion.
Around half of Muslims in the survey expressed concerns about religious extremism, particularly in Egypt, Iraq and Tunisia.
Most Muslims said they do not feel tension between their religion and modern life, prefer a democratic regime, enjoy music or Western movies, even if such pastimes are sometimes regarded as undermining morality.
An overwhelming majority viewed prostitution, homosexuality, suicide or alcohol consumption as immoral but there are sharp differences on issues such as polygamy.
Only four per cent polled in Bosnia and Herzegovina considered polygamy morally acceptable, against 87 per cent in Niger.
Violence carried out in the name of Islam was also widely rejected.