Wednesday, July 11, 2012

My Reading of the Pew Survey Results: We Are Crazy


Pew Research Center just released the results of its survey on democracy, religion and personal freedoms in the Middle East. The survey was conducted before the Egyptian presidential election and the dissolution of the Egyptian parliament in June.

The picture in Egypt, as predictable, is bleak and divided: 
- We still want democracy but down by 4% to 67%
- 92% of Egyptians either want to strictly follow the Quran (60%) or follow its values and principles (30%)
- The percentage of Egyptians who want a role of Islam in politics jumped from 47% in 2010 to a whopping 66% in 2012
- Only 63% of Egyptian women believe they should have equal rights to men. The lowest in all countries surveyed (the closest is Jordan with 82%).
- 67% crazy Egyptians believe that Saudi Arabia "favors democracy in the Middle East"

For the full PRC report, click here