A recent survey conducted by Al Aan TV in Arab countries uncovered surprising criticism amongst fellow Egyptians in the region with regards to the demonstrations that have captured media attention and that have began taking a vicious turn for the worse. 

 

Many Egyptians living abroad naturally feel uneasy about the turmoil in their country and worry about the after effects of the revolution. Whilst the poll conducted by YouGov Siraj confirmed that the majority of the more than 500 respondents interviewed support the protests, 62% of them would opt for a peaceful demonstration free from violence and theft with 32% supporting the current revolution leaving a minority of 3% disapproving the revolt against the government. 

 

Even though Mohammed Al Baradei has become one of the main driving forces behind the Egyptian revolution, hardly 3% believe he can lead the country. 61% find that Amro Moussa is more capable of reuniting the country whereas 11% prefer Omar Suleiman. 

 

Although Egyptians around the Arab world stand united 64% of them feel that the protests will have a negative effect on Egypt’s economy and hurt tourism resulting in a drop in the Egyptian pound and an increase in the prices of basic supplies such as food fuel and water. A hopeful 23% find that it would have a positive effect and believe that the protests will force the government to comply the Egyptian people’s needs. 

 

In spite of food, water and medical supplies shortages the resolve of the people remains with Egyptians around the world blaming several factors for the upheaval in their native country: 43% on corruption, 55% on the lack of human rights and 51% on the mounting frustration amongst Egyptians. 24% of them pointed out the huge gap between the poor and rich classes as the culprit - 62% of them held the growing poverty rates namely responsible for the situation and 11% considered it a response triggered by the Tunisian revolution. Other factors that could drive Egyptians to protest were identified as unemployment by 34% of those interviewed and as personal harm by 39%. 

 

When it came to the daily frictions between national forces and the people, 45% say they trust the army and find them to be the trustworthiest institution in Egypt. 93% of the respondents trust that the army would not be abusive with people and 69% do not perceive the Egyptian army to be an extension of the regime while a further 93% feel that there has been accumulated anger by Egyptians towards the police due to years of brutality and 86% consider them an extension to the regime that they are revolting against. 

 

Al Aan TV continuously conducts polls in the MENA region and amongst Arabs in the world as a means of tapping into perceptions towards various predominant issues affecting the people who reside in them.