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National Forums: What a Billion Muslims Really Think

Worldwide research results challenge myths about Muslims

DES MOINES, IA (05/21/2008; 1451)(readMedia)-- A national series of forums co-sponsored by The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy, Gallup, Inc. and the World Affairs Councils of America will discuss the findings of a new poll published in a book, Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think. The forums will discuss Gallup's largest study of Muslim populations worldwide that included interviews with 50,000 people from 35 countries. The survey results challenge current Western myths about Muslims.

The first two of five national forums will be held in the Midwest: in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Des Moines Public Library and in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 28 at 5:00 p.m. at the Creighton University Law School. Three additional forums are scheduled this fall in Naples, Florida; Springfield, Illinois; and Missoula, Montana. Dalia Mogahed, co-author of Who Speaks for Islam?, will be the featured speaker at the forums.

“In the wake of 9/11, U.S. public officials seemed to have no idea what perception Muslims had about the bombings.” said Mogahed. “Despite widespread media coverage of global terrorism, little is known about what Muslims worldwide really think and feel.”

Gallup investigated these perceptions by conducting six years of research among the world's Muslim community. This study challenges conventional wisdom and sheds light on what motivates Muslims worldwide. The result of this research is Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think, written by Mogahed and John L. Esposito.

Mogahed led the analysis of Gallup's unprecedented study. She is the senior analyst and executive director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, Washington, D.C. and directs the Muslim-West Facts Initiative through which Gallup, in collaboration with The Coexist Foundation, communicates the findings of the study to key opinion leaders in the Muslim World and the West.

The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy was established in 2006 and is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The Center is a non-profit, 501©3 organization. It promotes opportunity for all Americans to be citizen diplomats and affirms the indispensable value of citizen involvement in international relations. For more information about the national forums or the Center, visit www.uscenterforcitizendiplomacy.org.

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