Posted on 08/05/2003 10:15:26 AM PDT by rface
Tragedies of 9/11 and in Riyadh Do Not Represent Saudi People or Islam, According to New Zogby International Poll. Impressions of American Life and Culture Down from 2002 Study
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A new poll of citizens in Saudi Arabia reveals that they reject the international acts of terror claimed by Osama bin Laden as not consistent with the values of the Saudi people, nor with the values of Islam.
The survey of 600 Saudi citizens was commissioned by the Arab American Institute of Washington, DC, as part of an on-going study of Saudi attitudes. It was conducted during July, and has a margin of error of +/- 4.1%. Previous polling was done in February, March, and April of 2002.
Saudis are nearly unanimous (95%) in their belief that Bin Laden's claimed actions are not consistent with their values, and 88% say the actions are not consistent with the values of Islam. More than nine in ten (94%) feel the actions have harmed both the Kingdom and the people of Saudi Arabia.
Nearly all (99%) agree that the May 12, 2003 terrorist attacks on the expatriate compound in Riyadh are not consistent with the values of Saudis or with the values of Islam, and 93% agree that the attacks have harmed the Kingdom and the people of Saudi Arabia.
More than eight in ten (83%) say Osama bin Laden does not speak for them or their family. They are unanimous (100%) in the belief of respect for human life, and more than nine in ten (93%) say innocent citizens did not deserve to die in the World Trade Center attack.
More than nine in ten (91%) say the people of Saudi Arabia have no quarrel with the people of the United States, yet their overall impression of the American people is 70% unfavorable, 24% favorable. Last year, the sentiment was 51% unfavorable, 43% favorable.
More than nine in ten (94%) say they have an unfavorable impression of American policy toward the Palestinians, up from the 2002 unfavorable rating of 87%. This year, 81% have an unfavorable impression of American policy toward their neighbor, Iraq.
American education and science and technology are more highly regarded by the Saudi people, with 70% saying they have a favorable impression of US education (up from last year's 58% favorable), and 62% holding favorable impressions of science and technology, down from the 2002 favorable rating of 71%.
Other attributes of American life are not viewed as favorably by the Saudis. More than half (55%) have an unfavorable impression of American movies and television, compared to 41% who say it's favorable. That's a reversal of 2002's 54% favorable, 42% unfavorable impressions.
A majority (51%) has an unfavorable impression of American-made products, compared to 28% who say their impression is favorable. Last year, 53% viewed American products favorably, with 44% saying 'unfavorable.'
They are split on their impression of American freedom and democracy, with 44% saying they have an unfavorable impression and 40% saying 'favorable.' In 2002 polling, 52% had favorable impressions, and 44% said their impression was unfavorable.
Nearly nine in ten (87%) say their personal finances are of greatest importance to them, followed by employment opportunities (65%), the Arab-Israeli conflict (19%), political reform (16%), terrorism (12%), and Iraq (9%).
More than nine in ten (91%) watch satellite television, and nearly two-thirds (63%) have Internet access. Nearly half (47%) say they read a daily newspaper, and 12% say they read two. Four in ten (40%) do not read a newspaper.
More than four in ten (43%) of those interviewed attended college, and 16% attended a technical school. Three in ten (30%) completed a secondary education.
The survey was conducted by in-person interviews in the principal areas of Riyadh, Jeddah, Damman, and Abha by Zogby's Lebanese partner, Information International, SAL, and tabulated by Zogby International.
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Yes. John has really gone down the toilet credibility-wise. I still remember when he was respected, what, only five years ago.
I place no credence in Zogby saying the Saudi's are a good people. That would take quite a leap of faith. Arab's are known liars, thieves and murderers.
Zogby's credibility is zero.
AAAaaaahhhhh....it is so reassuring to know that 17% believe that Osama speaks for them and that 7% think that the innocent folks in the WTC deserved to die. ....OK, OK, I know that is not how this works but why arent these number 100% and 100%? Because there are a lot of Muslims out there who do believe that Osama speaks for them and that the victims of terror in the WTC did deserve to die...and that just plain sucks. Ask how many Lutherans, Catholics or Episcopalians think the people in the WTC deserved to die.....Think that number will be anything but zero?
....yea .... who do Americans trust more - Saudis or Democrats. Its a tough call -
this is series and a hugh problem
I hope their grade schools are better than our high schools...or is it so low because they don't let women attend? (Even so, 40% of men w/o a high school degree is pretty pathetic--are they all nomads?)
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