A new poll finds a majority of Egyptians do not support Egypt's most powerful Islamic group, the Muslim Brotherhood, and less than one percent want an Iran-style Islamic theocracy.
The Gallup poll conducted after the fall of former President Hosni Mubarak found that while 69% of Egyptians want religious leaders to have an "advisory role" in new legislation, most do not want a government based in religion.
I wonder what percentage of Iranians wish their goverment wasn't dominated by the Iman's?
Research by the Gallup organization found the collective view of Iranians is almost identical to the collective view of Americans.
Most Iranians prefer a faith informed government, but not a faith steered government. (only about 13 percent of Iranians want a Sharia driven government - which I'd characterize as very consistent with my own experience).
I don't think I'd mistake Egypt's dislike of the Brotherhood, with their dislike of Sharia. Well over 60 percent of Egyptians would be happy with Sharia law by itself (Gallup, 2008).
If you'd like more information, I look for Gallup's poll conducted by Esposito.
In the Islamic world - I'd characterize Saudi culture as the most conservative - and Turkish as the most liberal. Iran is closer (geographically and socially) to Turkey --- whereas Egypt is closer to Saudi. You can often identify a brotherhood supporter by the "bruise" on his forehead (from repeatedly rubbing his head against the carpet, while praying). I don't ever recall seeing a Shiite with these marks.
al-Qaeda has released a new video urging Muslims in the US to buy guns and kill Americans with them.
"America is absolutely awash with easily obtainable firearms," said Adam Gadahn, an American-born spokesman who is known as Azzam al-Amriki. "You can go down to a gun show at the local convention center and come away with a fully automatic assault rifle without a background check and most likely without having to show an identification card."
