A poll of four major Muslim countries finds that most respondents have “mixed feelings” about al-Qaeda. Large majorities agree with many of its goals, but believe that terrorist attacks on civilians are contrary to Islam.

On average less than one in four believes al-Qaeda was responsible for September 11th attacks. Pakistanis are the most skeptical—only 3 percent think al Qaeda did it. There is no consensus about who is responsible for the attacks on New York and Washington; the most common answer is “don’t know.”

Large majorities believe that undermining Islam is a key goal of US foreign policy.

Overwhelming majorities, asked about politically-motivated attacks on civilians, such as bombings or assassinations take the strongest position offered by saying such violence cannot be justified “at all.”

Overall 67 percent agree that “a democratic political system” is a good way to govern their country and 82 percent agree that in their country “people of any religion should be free to worship according to their own beliefs.

The surveys were conducted in Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, and Indonesia conducted from December 2006 to February, 2007 by WorldPublicOpinion.org with support from the START Consortium at the University of Maryland.