The latest survey by the Pew Global Attitudes Project, called Islamic Extremism: Common Concern for Muslim and Western Publics and conducted among more than 17,000 people in 17 countries this spring, finds that while many Muslims believe that radical Islam poses a threat (to Americans and Westerns), there are differing opinions as to its causes. Sizable minorities in most predominantly Muslim countries point to poverty, joblessness and a lack of education, but pluralities in Jordan and Lebanon cite U.S. policies as the most important cause of Islamic extremism.
However, after reading the questionnaire, I don't see why panic. One has to read the details of the question and the available answers. In my opinion, the results of the survey were drawn by the limited answers available and were designed to reflect a specific pattern.
On the other hand, talking about justification of suicide bombing, one has to understand what, where and how. It will clearly show that the "sometimes justifiable" answer is meant to targeting Americans and Westerns in Iraq and Israelis. This is clear and evident in last year survey, A Year After Iraq War: Mistrust of America in Europe Ever Higher, Muslim Anger Persists:
Generally, people in the largely Muslim nations surveyed are divided over whether suicide bombings and other violence against civilian targets are justified in order to defend Islam against its enemies. Fully three-quarters of those interviewed in Turkey (76%) say such attacks are rarely or never justified. But more people in Pakistan and Morocco say suicide attacks in the defense of Islam are justifiable: roughly four-in-ten in each country say these attacks are often or sometimes justified (41% Pakistan, 40% Morocco).
There is broader agreement that suicide attacks in specific circumstances against Americans and other Westerners in Iraq and by Palestinians against Israeli citizens are justified. Large majorities in Jordan (70%) and Morocco (66%) believe suicide bombings carried out against Americans and other Westerners in Iraq are justifiable. Nearly half of those in Pakistan agree (46%), while 36% say such attacks are not justifiable. In Turkey, most respondents (59%) feel attacks against Americans in Iraq are not justified, but about three-in-ten (31%) say that they are.
A similar pattern is evident in opinion on the question of whether suicide bombings by Palestinians against Israelis are justified. Support for this idea is especially widespread in Jordan and Morocco, where 86% and 74%, respectively, condone Palestinian suicide attacks. As with attacks against Americans in Iraq, Pakistanis are more divided, with 47% saying Palestinian bombings are justifiable, and 36% saying they are not. In Turkey, the weight of public opinion is against Palestinian violence 24% say Palestinian suicide bombings are justifiable, while two-thirds say they are not.
There is little evidence of a generational divide among Muslims in opinion about the U.S. or the use of violence against Americans. In Turkey, Pakistan, Jordan and Morocco, older people are just as likely as the young to view America unfavorably, and are just as likely to say that suicide bombings against Americans and other Westerners in Iraq are justifiable. In Pakistan, people age 50 and older express somewhat greater hostility toward American than those under age 50. Six-in-ten older Pakistanis say suicide attacks against Americans in Iraq are justifiable, compared with just 44% of those who are younger.
AdsIn Turkey and Pakistan, there is a significant gender gap in attitudes toward suicide attacks. In both countries, men are roughly twice as likely as women to say such violence against Americans and other Westerners in Iraq are justifiable. Four-in-ten Turkish men take this view, compared with 22% of Turkish women, and 61% of Pakistani men vs. 29% of Pakistani women. But in Jordan and Morocco, both men and women agree, in equal parts, that suicide bombing is justifiable.
Bottom line, I don't see anything new in the survey. Except that the questioners and answers as well the summery of the survey, were drawn in such a way to represent what the US and Israel want to present to the world about Islam. Keeping in mind that Zionists are behind the Pew Global Attitudes Project which is co-chaired by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright!
To be more specific and accurate in understanding the result, one has to read the questionnaire himself, and better older surveys as well, then coming to his own conclusion. On the other hand, I personally do not credit this semi US government organization any faith, nor believe the whole thing. Such organization, objectives and timing is so biased, one can expect why!
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Thanks for your thoughts. But it leaves me with little reassurance, even if only 35% of Jordanians think it is ok.
Similarly what concerns me is the 43% of Americans who have unfavorable views of Muslims!
But that is unfavorable views vs. condoning violence against them. I don’t want to be in 7th circle with my blonde kids in the car when one of those 70% goes balistic.
Americans I have met are eager to more about the Muslim world, and I have found that they want to believe the best (and I never tell them how people drive in Amman!). But to have to explain the results of this survey is going to take more effort.
But that mutual concern is why we both do what we do to promote understanding between both sides, right? Please keep being a voice of moderation, so I can quote you and others to expand the sphere of influence of this kind of thinking.
You experiences are different than mine. As an American white Muslim married to an Arab I find that a good chunk of Americans have very bigoted views of Arabs and Muslims. I get to hear it and see it because no one thinks I am a Muslim.
A recent poll in the US showed about 30% of Americans support having special laws that would require Muslims to register at their local police station. I find that most Americans are happy to not know about the world outside their borders. Like one lady told me “we have it all here, why would I need to know about anything else?”
Another poll found that 25% of Americans couldnt located Alaska, one of their own states, on a map. Scary.
abu Sinan, I must say that before 9/11, people’s interest to learn was more innocent than it is today. Today, people want assurance that Muslims aren’t out to kill them and take over the US. It’s not just bad Hollywood stereotypes, but that the only Muslims that get press are the ones that kill people – that would explain not only bigotry but fear and anger. It would be interesting to hear from Jeff Tynes if he experiences that same bigotry with Natasha at Mental Mayhem. Maybe it is regional as well, I find Californians less afraid than Midwesterners.
You know that Americans aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer for the most part. I was the same until I chose to know people who weren’t Americans and live outside the US. And my first experiences with Arab Muslims, in Univ., was far from pleasant.I find Jordanians can be the same way, believing what they see on TV is the way Americans really live. Yuck.
I know what you mean, kinzi. But believe me, I don’t think there is anything to worry about while you are in Jordan.
Yes the people are very angry at the US, and that’s normal and justified, but they are far more than many other nationality from violence against civilians of all nationalities.
Anyway, I’ve always been moderate and will always be :-)
We have to bear the following facts in mind when we discuss the opinions of Jordanians:
1-Jordan is in the middle of a turbulent region, and least to say surrounded by unfriendly regimes; Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, saudi Arabia to the south and so-called Israel to the west, so dont’ expect Jordanians to be the most cheerful people on this planet.
2-Jordan, as a country and people was founded on Arab nationalism values, the Jordanian army is the only one in the Arab World that is known as the “Arab army’.
3-A sizable portion of Jordanians come from Palestinian origin, and if they are asked to voice their opinion or answer a question how to tackle occupation, I am sure the answer will not be “throw the occupiers with flowers”.
4- Arab regimes have decided to adopt peace as the only avenue to solve the Mid-East conflict since 1967, how close to peace are we today after 38 years?
5-Finally, you have to consider the frustration, poverty, unemployment, inflation, social problems that accumulated over the years with no ray of hope at the end of the tunnel.The Wadi Araba peace Treaty with Israel did not bring prosperity, can we blame them if they feel desperate ?
You have to travel in public transportation and mix with people in their farms, villages to realize that Jordanians are hospitable, warm, helpful, hardworking but at the same time do not favor or support wrongdoing to other nations by super powers, that is why they sympathize with the oppressed.
almuhannad, thanks for your insights. I’ve lived here for 12 years, six in East Amman, speak amiyya, often ride in services and don’t spend much time in Abduun or Sweifiyyeh. I lived through riots when my neighbors were calling for death to Americans, having fires started in my yard, eggs thrown at my kids, windows broken, tires slashed, being attacked by a Palestinian taxi driver, been called any number of lewd names by men who didn’t know I spoke your language. I knew these people (and it wasn’t all the same people or all at once) weren’t representing the majority of Jordanians.
I totally understand anger and of course not favoring oppression by super=powers and their ilk. But if even half of the 70% say suicide bombs against Americans are justifiable, hm, maybe I shouldn’t feel as safe as I am.