Poll: More Americans Fault U.S. Actions for Negative Image in Muslim World

By Ethan Cole, Christian Post Reporter Monday, February 05, 2007

A recent poll found that more Americans than previously believe Muslim countries’ negative view of the United States is caused by U.S. actions rather than misunderstandings.

A Gallup Poll conducted on Jan. 15-18 showed that 26 percent of Americans attribute Muslim countries’ unfavorable opinion of the nation to what the U.S. has done - up from 11 percent in 2002. However, the majority of Americans still believe the people’s negative opinion is due to misinformation (57 percent).

The poll noted that U.S. involvement in Iraq probably had a strong influence on shaping the opinions of participants.

U.S. diplomacy and troops in Iraq is a controversial topic not only among secular America but also within the Christian community. Christian leaders have been vocal in both opposing and supporting U.S. policies in Iraq. The National Council of Churches of Christ USA and its member churches have released statements demanding the withdrawal of troops.

In contrast, others, such as Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson, have argued that the withdrawal of U.S. troops would leave hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians to fend for themselves.

Other faith leaders have joined the Mideast debate by pressing the U.S. government to carry out a more comprehensive U.S. peace approach in the Middle East.

Overall, the poll found little change in American attitude towards how Muslim countries view the United States. Five years after 2002, the vast majority of Americans say Muslim countries have unfavorable views of the U.S. (81 percent).

On the other hand, the minority of Americans, about one-third, report having an unfavorable opinion of Muslim countries.

Most Americans confess, however, that they know little or nothing about the opinions and beliefs of people who live in Muslim countries despite years of intense media coverage on Muslim countries.

Results from the Gallup Poll are based on telephone interviews with 1,018 national adults, aged 18 and older.