Gallup’s data taken from opinion polls in Egypt are particularly powerful, for example, in debunking common stereotypes. The report found that:
- “Egyptians are the most likely people of any country in the world to say the targeting and killing of civilians is never justified (97%).”
- While opposing terrorism as a tactic on moral grounds, 79% also believe that ‘peaceful means are effective for correcting injustice.’
So much for the myth of Islam’s deeply ingrained predisposition to violence, then.
Another common fear, specific to the revolutions, is that Islamist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt will come to power through a popular Muslim preference for theocracy if democratic elections are held. This, it is often thought, will be the first step in the creation of an Islamic state fundamentally opposed to the West and to its values.
But what do the hard facts tell us? Are the Egyptian public really so bent on creating an Islamic state? Are they so supportive of the Islamists? Again, the Gallup polling in Egypt challenges preconceived ideas about Islam and Muslims. According to the data:
- The Muslim Brotherhood has no more than 15% of public support.
- Egyptians have next to no interest (<1%) in recreating their country in the image of Iran as an Islamic state.
- While 69% stated that religious leaders should play an advisory role to government authorities, few believed that they should have “full authority” to govern.
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