WASHINGTON, March 4 /PRNewswire/
-- In the first substantial shift of public opinion in the Muslim world since the beginning of the United States' global war on terrorism, more people in the world's largest Muslim country now favor American efforts against terrorism than oppose them. This is just one of many dramatic findings of a new nationwide poll in Indonesia released today.
"In a stunning turnaround of public opinion, support for Bin Laden and terrorism in the world's most populous Muslim nation has dropped significantly, while favorable views of the United States have increased," said Kenneth Ballen, President of Terror Free Tomorrow, which commissioned the
poll. "The poll shows that the reason for this positive change is the American response to the tsunami," Ballen added.
Key Findings of the Poll:
* For the first time ever in a major Muslim nation, more people favor US- led efforts to fight terrorism than oppose them (40% to 36%).
Importantly, those who oppose US efforts against terrorism have declined by half, from 72% in 2003 to just 36% today.
* For the first time ever in a Muslim nation since 9/11, support for Osama Bin Laden has dropped significantly (58% favorable to just 23%).
* 65% of Indonesians now are more favorable to the United States because of the American response to the tsunami, with the highest percentage among people under 30.
* Indeed, 71% of the people who express confidence in Bin Laden are now more favorable to the United States because of American aid to tsunami victims.
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