Survey: Jordanians Back Campaign Against ISIS
Jordanians have limited awareness of political parties and support the international campaign against ISIS, according to a survey conducted by the Middle East Marketing and Research Consultants on behalf of the International Republican Institute.
Jordanians have limited awareness of political parties, including the Islamic Action Front, according to a survey conducted by the Middle East Marketing and Research Consultants on behalf of the International Republican Institute. The majority of Jordanians also consider ISIS a threat, and 75 percent back the international campaign against the group in Iraq and Syria to a "large" or "moderate" extent. The survey included a sample of 1,000 adults interviewed between February 25 and March 1, 2015. The following is a summary of the survey’s key findings related to Islamist movements.
Islamist political parties
Respondents generally had low awareness of 26 Jordanian political parties. Around 55 percent of adults surveyed said they had heard of the Islamic Action Front, an Islamist party with roots in the Muslim Brotherhood, compared to 60 percent in December 2013. Only 5 percent reported being familiar with the party’s political ideas or vision.
But the Islamic Action Front was actually the most recognized party on the list. Only 40 percent had heard of the Wasat Party, a centrist group of Islamists who split from the Islamic Action Front in 2003, with 4 percent reporting knowledge of its vision. Name recognition for all other parties, Islamist or secular, came in below 20 percent.
The Islamic State
The survey also included questions on the Islamic State – also known as ISIS, ISIL, or Daesh. Jordanians generally reported that they viewed ISIS as a threat and backed the international military campaign against the group. Around 58 percent do not believe that ISIS's ideology has support among Jordanians.
To what degree do you feel ISIS is a real threat to security in Jordan?
Large degree
37 percent
Moderate degree
26 percent
Little degree
16 percent
Not at all
16 percent
Not sure/Don’t know
5 percent
Refused to answer
1 percent
To what degree do you support the international intervention against ISIS?
Large degree
54 percent
Moderate degree
21 percent
Little degree
4 percent
Not at all
11 percent
Not sure/Don’t know
10 percent
Refused to answer
1 percent
What is your most important reason for this support?
Fight terrorism and eliminate ISIS
58 percent
Safeguard regional security and enhance stability
13 percent
ISIS harmed Islam and its image
17 percent
Corruption and criminality of ISIS
9 percent
To avenge the killing of pilot Kasasbeh
2 percent
Other
1 percent
No reason
1 percent
What is your most important reason for not supporting intervention?
Fear of dragging Jordan into war and instability
36 percent
Conspiracy targeting Muslims and Islam
34 percent
Not our war/Jordan is far from events
14 percent
Spare Muslims and other innocent people
4 percent
Other
8 percent
No reason
3 percent
Refused to answer
3 percent
Do you believe the ideology of ISIS has support among Jordanians?
Yes
26 percent
No
58 percent
Not sure/Don’t know
16 percent
Refused to answer
1 percent
What do you think could be the reason for potential support of the ideology of ISIS among Jordanians?
Yes
No
Not sure/Don’t know
Poor economic conditions
67 percent
33 percent
1 percent
Religion
62 percent
37 percent
1 percent
Social injustice
54 percent
42 percent
4 percent
Expansion of the Islamic State
38 percent
61 percent
1 percent
Do you think ISIS is mainly supported by youth, religious people, or poor people?
Youth
36 percent
Religious people
30 percent
Poor people
24 percent
Not sure/Don’t know
11 percent
Click here for the full report
Related Program
The Islamists
Learn more about Hamas and how it relates to similarly aligned organizations throughout the region. Read more