The Middle East Institute is pleased to invite you to a lecture and book signing by James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute. The Arab world has been vastly misunderstood in the West. Zogby's Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us, and Why It Matters asks the questions, collects the answers, and shares the results that will help readers better understand the Arab world. The book brings into stark relief the myths, assumptions, and biases that prevent many from understanding the greater Middle East region and its people.
In Arab Voices, Zogby debuts a brand-new, comprehensive poll, bringing numbers to life so that readers can base policy and perception on the real world, rather than on a conjured reality. Some of the findings include:
* Despite frustration with the peace process and the number of wars of the past few years, 74% of Arabs still support a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. And over one-third of Lebanese, Saudis, and Jordanians think that their governments should do more to advance peace.
* Arabs like Americans, (59% favorable rating), their values (52%) and products (69%), giving them all high ratings.
* However, Arabs overwhelmingly rate American society "more violent and war-like" (77%) or "less respectful of the rights of others" (78%) than their own society. Why? Because of the Iraq war and continuing fallout from Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, and the treatment of Arab and Muslim immigrants and visitors to the United States.