---
title: "Hamas Not Popular in Muslim Countries Pre-War"
description: "Hamas received a positive rating in only one Muslim country (Jordan) surveyed by the Pew Global Attitudes Project in 2008."
date: "2009-01-12"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2009/01/12/hamas-not-popular-in-muslim-countries-pre-war/"
---

# Hamas Not Popular in Muslim Countries Pre-War

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](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1075/before-israels-invasion-hamas-popularity-was-waning-among-its-neighbors-even-in-gaza-itself)