U.S. could boost its image in Muslim world through aid: Report<\/p>\n
Karen Matthews, Associated Press\/New York<\/p>\n
The United States could improve its image among Muslims by
\nadopting a more respectful tone and publicizing the aid programs
\nit is has implemented to help Muslims and Arabs worldwide, said a
\nreport released on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The report, issued by the New York-based Council on Foreign
\nRelations, said that emphasizing U.S. development aid to Muslim
\nnations, such as tsunami relief in Indonesia, rather than
\nfocusing on persuading Muslims to support U.S. policies in Iraq,
\ncould be more successful in combating the rising anti-American
\nsentiment in the Muslim world that now also extends to U.S.
\nconsumer brands.<\/p>\n
The report, by Craig Charney and Nicole Yakatan, of Charney
\nResearch, is based on 14 focus groups conducted last December and
\nJanuary among college educated men and women in Egypt, Morocco
\nand Indonesia. The educated elite were chosen because their
\nsupport is vital for U.S.-backed reforms, the authors said.<\/p>\n
\"There are important openings for America to communicate more
\neffectively and regain ground in the Islamic world, the focus
\ngroups show, despite the extent of hostility at the moment,\" said
\nthe report. \"These opportunities can be realized by focusing on
\nbilateral relationships and respectful partnerships, Muslim
\ninitiative, and agreeing to disagree on contentious security
\nissues involving other countries such as Iraq or Palestine.\"<\/p>\n
Anger at U.S. foreign policy and at the U.S. government
\ndominated spontaneous reactions in all three countries, with one
\nIndonesian man describing the United States as \"Interferers,
\nespecially in developing countries.\"<\/p>\n
Views of President George W. Bush were uniformly negative,
\nwith criticisms ranging from \"selfish\" and \"rude\" to \"an enemy of
\nArabs and Muslims.\" All focus group members rejected U.S. views
\nof the war in Iraq, saying the United States invaded on a false
\npremise to further its own regional goals.<\/p>\n
Misconceptions about the influence of Jews in American
\npolitics also contributed to anti-Americanism. Focus group
\nmembers saw the United States and Israel as synonymous and
\nestimated the proportion of Jews in the U.S. population at up to
\n85 percent, when it is actually 2 percent.<\/p>\n
The report found that negative opinions of the United States
\nare taking a toll on U.S. companies and that the amounts of U.S.
\naid were massively underestimated. It found that none of the
\nfocus group participants knew that the United States is the
\nworld's largest donor by dollar amount.<\/p>\n
\"Most Egyptians and Indonesians put U.S. support for their
\ncountries over 10 years in millions; the correct figures were
\n$7.3 billion and $1 billion, respectively,\" the authors said.<\/p>\n
When asked what they wanted from the United States, focus
\ngroup members said respect and aid to develop as their countries
\nchoose.<\/p>\n
The authors said that to be heard by Muslims the United States
\nmust agree to disagree on contentious issues such as Iraq.<\/p>\n
\"Despite the intensity of their anger, many Muslims appear
\nopen to new information and a different attitude from the United
\nStates. An effort to communicate and the right content for the
\ndialog can help to change their perceptions, even if it cannot
\nvanquish anti-Americanism altogether,\" they said.<\/p>\n
The Council on Foreign Relations, founded in 1921, is a
\nnonpartisan center for scholars dedicated to helping members and
\npolicy-makers better understand the world and governmental policy
\nchoices, according to its Web site.<\/p>\n
Charney Research is a private consulting firm that offers
\nopinion polling and market research. It is based in New York.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-could-boost-its-image-in-muslim-world-through-aid-report-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}