The Muslim Brotherhood’s presidential candidate Mohamed Mursi vows to apply Islamic Law if he becomes Egypt’s next president. (Guardian)
Nearly six-in-ten Egyptians say both U.S. military and economic aid is having a detrimental impact on their country.
The United States has given billions of dollars to Egypt in recent decades, but research published Tuesday by a major think tank suggests most Egyptians think American aid is having a “negative effect.”
A poll by the Washington-based Pew Research Center also reveals growing Islamic sentiment among Egyptians since the Arab Spring, with 66 percent thinking Islam plays a major role in the country’s political life compared to 47 percent in 2010.
Six in 10 want to see Islamic law strictly enforced, compared to just six percent who feel it should have no influence.
Advertise | AdChoicesThe poll comes after local media and the country’s parliament heavily criticized U.S.-run non-governmental organizations, which are accused of meddling in Egypt’s affairs. Many Egyptians were incensed when U.S. citizens under investigation – including Sam LaHood, son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood – were allowed to leave the country.
The Pew poll also found that more Egyptians have a negative view of Barack Obama and the United States since the Arab Spring movement.
The survey shows that Egyptians hold a less favorable view of President Barack Obama, with 29% expressing confidence in him, compared with 2009 when 42% of those surveyed expressed confidence. Only 19% of Egyptians hold a favorable view of the United States.
Then there’s this…
Since the Arab Spring most Egyptians favor overturning the 1979 peace treaty in which Egypt became the first Arab country to formally recognize Israel.
