Middle East Focus: Muslim Polls, the American Right, Respected Electronic Dailies……

Arabia Deserta

Muslim Polls, the American Right, Respected Electronic Dailies……

Walking on water

“The truth is that the trajectory of Islam in America (and Europe for that matter) is at variance with the play of things in Islam's main habitat. A survey by Elaph, the most respected electronic daily in the Arab world, gave a decided edge to those who objected to the building of this mosque—58% saw it as a project of folly. Elaph was at it again in the aftermath of Pastor Terry Jones's threat to burn copies of the Quran: It queried its readers as to whether America was a "tolerant" or a "bigoted" society. The split was 63% to 37% in favor of those who accepted the good faith and pluralism of this country…..” Also sprach Fouad Ajami in Wall Street Journal.

This morning I was listening to Laura Ingraham on my car radio (I was slumming) and she repeated the very same thing about Elaph “the most respected electronic daily ……” regarding whether the Cordoba House should be built. Suddenly all the right-thinking people are using it. The same people who attack anything that is connected to Saudi Arabia inside the USA (except expensive weapons deals). I am on watch for the leading Arab-phobe and Islamo-phobe, Newt (Threepeat, so far) Gingrich, to take his turn about “the most respected…..”

I have no doubt about the 63% who agree about American pluralism and good faith: in fact that figure should probably be higher than 63% (especially given the distinctly non-plural anti-plural nature of most Middle East societies). The thing is, and Professor Ajami surely knows this, that polls in places like Saudi Arabia or by a Saudi media outlet like Elaph are hardly reliable. Nay, they are sometimes downright manipulated to give pre-ordered results. In the Middle East in general, outside Israel and Lebanon and perhaps Iraq, people are afraid to answer polls honestly, especially on political issues. They worry that big brother may be watching or listening, and they are mostly right.
Besides, the American Right, now that Bush is gone, are too quick to jump on the Saudis and blame them for all sorts of things. After all they are exotic and foreign looking, very Arab looking (how else are they supposed to look?). Of course Newt Gingrich looks like he would look natural with an apple stuck in his mouth (on a banquet table). All this makes the Saudis weary and wary of domestic entanglements within the United States.

Now I do find Elpah somewhat interesting, I visit its site occasionally and I link with it sometimes, but “the most” respected daily? Don’t think so. I haven’t yet found any “most respected” daily electronic journal in the Arab world yet. Some are grudgingly respected, some are eagerly disrespected, most are assiduously ignored. At least by yours trul y.
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com