More than 80 percent of Americans can't find Arab countries on a map

According to an Arab News/You Gov poll, 21 percent of 2,057 Americans who were surveyed, believe that Agrabah, the fictional city from Disney's Aladdin, is a real place in the Arab World.

Not only that, but also 38 percent, "would be happy with a U.S. travel ban on citizens of Agrabah should they be proven a threat," and "81 percent of those surveyed cannot identify the Arab region on a map."  

The "Arab Image in the U.S." poll was conducted between 17-21 March, and its results were published on Monday to coincide with the Arab Media Forum (AMF) which is currently taking place in Dubai.

The survey is centered around the perception of the Arab region in the U.S. and its results will be discussed during an AMF panel on Tuesday. The panel will be exploring the media's role in addressing perceptions of the region.

Stephan Shakespeare, the chief executive of polling firm You Gov  believes that the recent "findings are significant and a cause for concern, especially at a time when U.S President Donald Trump is ramping up his country's involvement in the Arab world," Arab News said.

The survey also revealed that most Americans do not follow news related to the Arab region, mainly due to the amount of negative stories involved. 

"Over three-quarters of respondents said they would not consider traveling to the Arab world, with 39 percent saying the whole region is too dangerous to visit."

And "65 percent of respondents admitted to knowing little about the region, with 30 percent having no interest," in understanding it further.

But while the survey's results reveal an "alarmingly low level of awareness about the Middle East and North Africa," they also reflect "a desire for more media coverage."

"About a third [of respondents said] they would like to see more media coverage about social, cultural and scientific aspects" in the Arab world, You Gov's Stephan Shakespeare said.

The survey also reflects positive findings when it comes to issues like immigration, as it found that "63 percent of respondents believe Arab immigrants have made efforts to integrate themselves in U.S. and Western societies."

According to Arab News, You Gov ran the study on "its U.S. proprietary online panel with a sample of American citizens," across all states. 

The survey's overall margin of error is "considered low at 2.2 percent, compared to the 3 percent industry average."

Respondents answered 24 close-ended questions around news-related behaviors, interest in news related to the Arab world, their knowledge about the region and interest in visiting this part of the world.

They were also asked questions about the rise of Islamophobia, their views on Arabs who have migrated to the U.S. and the "perceived role of media in portraying the real image of the Arab world."

89 percent of those who took the survey are registered voters and "61 percent of the sample fell between the ages of 30 and 64."