WASHINGTON: More than half of Americans acknowledge having a poor understanding of Islam, even though they support President Obama's plan to seek improved relations with the Muslim world, according to a new opinion poll released late on Sunday.

The survey by The Washington Post and ABC News showed that 55 percent of those polled said they lacked a good understanding of the teachings and beliefs of Islam.

Forty-eight percent said they had an unfavorable view of Islam while nearly three in 10, or 29 percent, said they saw mainstream Islam as advocating violence against non-Muslims.