Young Arabs dislike Trump, view him as anti-Muslim

DUBAI: A majority of young Arabs see Donald Trump’s election as the factor most influencing their region in the next five years, a survey published yesterday showed.

They expressed concern that the US president was anti-Muslim.

Trump signed an executive order in March banning citizens from six Muslim-majority nations from travelling to the US, citing security reasons.

However, the action was blocked by a court.

The annual survey by Dubai-based public relations firm ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller of people aged between 18 to 24 across 16 Arab countries showed that 64% of respondents viewed the Trump presidency with “concern, anger or fear”.

Some 83% viewed Trump unfavourably, far up from the 52% recorded by his predecessor, Barack Obama.

Trump’s unpopularity even exceeds the 77% disapproval rating for George W Bush, whose invasion of Iraq in 2003 made him especially unpopular in the Arab world.

Around 70% of respondents said Trump was anti-Muslim.

Half said his proposed travel ban would make it easier for militant groups to recruit young Muslims.

Respondents listed oil prices as the factor next most likely to affect the region in the next five years, followed by the Islamic State group, which was seen as the biggest challenge in the region in last year’s poll.

The survey was based on 3 500 faceto-face interviews carried out in various countries, ranging from Morocco and Egypt to Jordan and Saudi Arabia.