Author: Agencies
Publication: Express India.com
Date: April 24, 2007
URL: http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=85384
Most Muslims want US military forces out of
the Middle East and Islamic countries and many agree with al-Qaeda's goals,
if not its tactics, suggested a public opinion poll conducted in Egypt, Morocco,
Pakistan and Indonesia.
"Most respondents have mixed feelings
about al-Qaeda," said a statement of the study's findings, conducted
by the Washington-based nonprofit group WorldPublicOpinion.org and the University
of Maryland.
"Large majorities agree with many of
its goals, but believe that terrorist attacks on civilians are contrary to
Islam."
An average of 74 per cent of all those polled
agreed with the goal of pushing the US to remove its bases and military forces
from all Islamic countries," said the poll.
A full 91 per cent of Egyptians and 69 per
cent of Moroccans said they approved of attacks against US soldiers in Iraq,
while 61 per cent of Indonesians disapproved.
Pakistanis appeared divided on the matter,
with 31 per cent for such attacks and 33 per cent against.
The survey found similar responses with regard
to US forces in Afghanistan and the Gulf.
At least 70 per cent or more in all countries
supported the goals of 'standing up to Americans and affirming the dignity
of the Islamic people', and 'pressuring the United States not to favour Israel',
it said.
