Less than 25% of Muslims blame al-Qaeda for 9/11 attacks

[Tanuki]

This link has an interesting survey of public opinion re: current U.S. policy, sampled in Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, and Indonesia from December 2006 to February, 2007 by WorldPublicOpinion.org with support from the START Consortium at the University of Maryland.
Please note that there is a photo of the face of someone who was tortured and died in British custody at the link; I didn't find it overly gruesome but some may have different sensibilities and may choose not to click the link so as not to be upset.

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=244340

"An in-depth poll of four major Muslim countries has found that in all of them large majorities believe that undermining Islam is a key goal of US foreign policy. Most want US military forces out of the Middle East and many approve of attacks on US troops there.
Most respondents have mixed feelings about al Qaeda. Large majorities agree with many of its goals, but believe that terrorist attacks on civilians are contrary to Islam.

....There is strong support for enhancing the role of Islam in all of the countries polled, through such measures as the imposition of sharia (Islamic law). This does not mean that they want to isolate their societies from outside influences: Most view globalization positively and favor democracy and freedom of religion.


....Large majorities across all four countries believe the United States seeks to, “weaken and divide the Islamic world.” On average 79 percent say they perceive this as a US goal, ranging from 73 percent in Indonesia and Pakistan to 92 percent in Egypt. Equally large numbers perceive that the United States is trying to maintain “control over the oil resources of the Middle East” (average 79%). Strong majorities (average 64%) even believe it is a US goal to “spread Christianity in the region.”

....“While US leaders may frame the conflict as a war on terrorism, people in the Islamic world clearly perceive the US as being at war with Islam,” said Steven Kull, editor of WorldPublicOpinion.org."

[MrSlayer]

1. A whole lot of us non-Muslims do not blame them either.

I blame PNAC neo-cons.

[reprehensor]

2. What is "al Qaeda" anyway?

One man's answer here;
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=125x119837