For Immediate Release:

PAKPAC reports findings of survey conducted immediately after President Obama’s historic speech to Muslim world in Cairo

Washington DC June 5^th 09: PAKPAC conducted an online survey amongst its readers asking them to rate President Obama’s historic speech to Muslim world in Cairo on June 4th 2009. A total of 10 questions were asked covering various topics and issues. Respondents were also given an opportunity to present their person views for various questions as well. A total of 103 respondents took part in the survey. Overall President Obama’s speech was received very favorably amongst the survey participants, bringing in a feeling of hope and security amongst Pakistani-Americans.

Many of the respondents felt that even though this speech was targeted to the +1.7 billion Muslims, it was quite Arab centric, and did not address issues faced by South east or South west Asia Muslims. Not much reference was made on ongoing military action in Afghanistan or Pakistan, nor was there mention of Kashmir or other regional issues.

Most people are confident that President Obama’s administration understands the geo-political issues and are taking steps to address them. Respondents are concerned how quickly and effectively words of President Obama’s speech will transform to actual policy changes. Pakistani-Americans believe that their concern about positive US policy changes is shared by Pakistanis in Pakistan as well. Majority of the respondents believe that Presidents Obama’s speech and soft diplomacy will result in weakening the extremist element in Muslim world.

The major benefit of President Obama’s speech on Pakistani-Americans is building of their confidence in participating and impacting US foreign policy development. Pakistani-Americans feel they can play an important role in transforming President Obama’s words into effective policy, by fulfilling their American citizenship obligations with a show of more public diplomacy, and more open communication with fellow Americans about Islam and civil liberties. They also feel there is a need to educate fellow American Muslims to become more tolerant in their views about Western society.

Specifically addressing the concerns of Pakistan and Pakistani-Americans, they see a need of increased US economic investment in Pakistan, increased support of Pakistan anti terrorist efforts, increased support of building democracy in Pakistan. Survey participants also felt that since focus of US foreign policy in the near future is on Pakistan, this speech would have been more effective if it was delivered from Islamabad than Cairo.

Complete report of the survey is available at PAKPAC website.

How would you overall rate the content of President Obama’s speech
71.84 %    -   Excellent
20.39 %    -   Very Good
  4.85 %    -    Good
  1.94 %    -    Fair
  0.97 %    -    Poor

Did President Obama highlight the issues that you were interested in his speech?

85.44 %    -    Yes
14.56 %    -    No
               
Do you think that this speech will positively change the views of the segment of people in Pakistan with anti-American sentiment?

62.14 %    -    Yes
10.68 %    -    No
27.18 %    -    Maybe

Do you believe that views and perspectives outlined by President Obama will be followed by actual policy changes from his Administration?

60.19 %    -    Yes
  9.71 %    -    No
30.10 %    -    Maybe

After President Obama's speech, do you feel that the American Muslims (Pakistani Americans) feel that there is a role that they have to empower some of the policy initiatives outlined?

78.64 %    -    Yes
  6.80 %    -    No
14.56 %    -    Maybe

Which of the following effects do you believe, the speech today by President Obama had on the extreme voices in the world, who use faith to justify murder and harm on to people of other faiths?

72.82 %    -    Made those voices WEAK and IRRELEVANT
  1.94 %    -    Made those voices STRONGER
25.24 %    -    No Change

A number of American Muslim organizations have applauded President Obama’s speech. Some of them are:

ISNA

CAIR

ADC

Islamic Information Center                               

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Contact Irfan Malik Executive Director, 202-558-6404 info@pakpac.net

The Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC) is a nationwide, membership based, non-profit lobbying organization registered with the United States Federal Government. PAKPAC's mission includes advancement and strengthening of U.S.-Pakistan relations. It is organized to be a unified voice on issues and concerns common to the Pakistani American community. PAKPAC's focus includes an active environment to foster greater political and civic engagement amongst the Pakistani Americans. PAKPAC is also focused on collaborating with other regional and national Pakistani American organizations to ensue increased efficacy and reduced duplication of the stated goals. PAKPAC along with our affiliates is working to serve as a watch dog for inaccuracies and bias in media coverage about Pakistan and Pakistani Americans. We are also involved in educating media groups, journalists, politicians, academicians and members of think tanks about views of concern and importance to the Pakistani American community.