Among the eight countries with sizeable Muslim populations surveyed by the Pew Global Attitudes Project in 2008, Hamas received a positive rating in only one, Jordan, where 55% voiced a favorable view of the organization and 37% expressed an unfavorable opinion. Jordanian support, however, was down from 62% in 2007. Hamas’ image fell in Egypt as well, with its favorables declining from 49% in 2007 to 42% in 2008. In Lebanon, Hamas was very unpopular in 2008, but views were split along sectarian lines. Hamas — a largely Sunni organization — received its highest ratings from Lebanese Shia, 64% of whom expressed a positive view of the group. However, just 9% of Lebanese Sunnis and 10% of Christians expressed a favorable opinion. Read More
Russell Heimlich is a former web developer at Pew Research Center.
