America and Britain have remained the favourite nations of young Arabs and Muslims, despite the war on terrorism after September 11, according to a survey published yesterday.
The study, conducted by the British Council five months after the al-Qa'eda attacks in New York and Washington, found that America was the favourite country in the Muslim world, followed closely by Britain.
About 68 per cent of those interviewed were "very favourable or mainly favourable" to the US, with 67 per cent approving of Britain. The two nations are the main allies in the war against Islamic terrorism.
The survey, of people aged 15 to 25 in nine countries with substantial Muslim populations, will hearten politicians in Washington and London.
When asked which countries, apart from their own, they most admired, the respondents also placed America and Britain among the top four nations.
At 25 per cent, America was more than twice as popular as the second choice, Japan. Egypt was the third most popular country, with Britain fourth on 11 per cent, twice as popular as France. Iraq and Syria both received one per cent of the combined responses.
Lady Kennedy, QC, chairman of the council, said the perceived strength of a nation's economy appeared to be the most important issue for the majority of respondents, despite any criticism of political or diplomatic policy.
Four of the five most popular countries were among the world's five most powerful economies. Egypt's inclusion reflected great enthusiasm for the country in the Palestinian territories and Saudi Arabia.
The inclusion of Australia, Germany, Canada and Italy in the top 12 completed a list dominated by the wealthiest and most advanced Western nations.
Lady Kennedy said a high regard for British education and admiration for the consistently strong UK economy were the two positive messages cited most often by the respondents.
Lady Kennedy said the survey found that 19 per cent of those questioned viewed Britain more negatively than before September 11, while 18 per cent regarded the nation more positively because of its support for the war against terrorism. The report said Britain "shared in the fallout" suffered by the US because of its perceived lack of sympathy with the "Palestinian cause".
There was "real antagonism" towards the UK, Lady Kennedy said at the launch of the survey in London. However, almost an equal number thought more of Britain because of its robust response to the terror attacks.
The survey questioned 4,700 young people in nine countries: Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The council said they were most likely to shape the future of their countries.