Poll: Muslims Positive About Globalization, Trade

August 27, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Yahoo News/PRNewswire-USNewswire

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20080828/pl_usnw/poll__muslims_positive_about_globalization__trade

Contrary to the common assumption that Muslims view globalization as a threat to their society, a new poll of predominantly Muslim countries finds that globalization is generally viewed positively. The poll was conducted by WorldPublicOpinion.org in six nations: Egypt, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Indonesia, and the Palestinian Territories, plus the Muslim population of Nigeria.

Asked about "globalization, especially the increasing connections of our economy with others around the world," majorities in six of the seven publics polled say that it is "mostly good" for their country. Approval is highest among Egyptians and Nigerian Muslims (79% and 78% saying mostly good, respectively). Turkey is the only country whose support does not reach a majority (39% good, 28% bad). On average across all seven publics, 63 percent say that globalization is good for their own countries. Only 25 percent think it is mostly bad.

Steven Kull, director of WorldPublicOpinion.org comments, "These findings run counter to the widespread assumption that people in the Muslim world are anxious and hostile about the prospect of integration into the global economy."