In search of truth on Islam

Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think, is a cutting survey made by Gallup.

Thanks to saleemkhan , I get a pointer to some interesting facts. This is a wake-up call to the west and to all the world.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, U.S. public officials seemed to have no idea whether or not many Muslims supported the bombings. This troubled Gallup Chairman and CEO Jim Clifton, who felt that "no one in Washington had any idea what 1.3 billion Muslims were thinking, and yet we were working on intricate strategies that were going to change the world for all time." Clifton commissioned his company to undertake the enormous job.  [ source ] 

The result is Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think, based on six years of research and more than 50,000 interviews representing 1.3 billion Muslims who reside in more than 35 nations that are predominantly Muslim or have sizable Muslim populations. Representing more than 90% of the world's Muslim community, it makes this poll the largest, most comprehensive study of its kind.

What the data reveal and the authors illuminate may surprise you:

• Muslims and Americans are equally likely to reject attacks on civilians as morally unjustifiable.
• Large majorities of Muslims would guarantee free speech if it were up to them to write a new constitution AND they say religious leaders should have no direct role in drafting that constitution.
• Muslims around the world say that what they LEAST admire about the West is its perceived moral decay and breakdown of traditional values -- the same answers that Americans themselves give when asked this question.
• When asked about their dreams for the future, Muslims say they want better jobs and security, not conflict and violence.
• Muslims say the most important thing Westerners can do to improve relations with their societies is to change their negative views toward Muslims and respect Islam.

What is amazing is that why are they doing this for Islam and religion in general ?  Gallop could do better if they did the opposite , Polled all countries (193 in all) and asked them what they think of America now. Are the Americans predatory in nature , in terms of commerce, policy and such ??  I think the value prop there would be an another wake up call for the Americans themselves !!!

IMHO, address the root issue and the rest will sort itself out !!