Gauging the Value System of Employees in Religious-Related Roles in the UAE

    TRENDS Research and Advisory is conducting an opinion poll on the value system with the aim of gauging the positions and attitudes of employees in religion-related positions regarding a number of social and religious values and standards. Your contribution will be highly appreciated. Your answers will remain confidential, and will be used solely for research purposes.

    Chapter One: general values
    Q1. Looking at your life in general, do you think that you are:
    Very happyHappy to some extentUnhappy to some extentVery unhappy
    Q2. To what extent do you consider yourself optimistic/pessimistic about your future? ( 1 = Very Pessimistic and 10 = Very optimistic )
    12345678910
    Q3. Regarding trust in people, choose the phrase that expresses your opinion among the alternatives mentioned:
    Most people can be trustedMost people cannot be trustedReligious people are most trustworthy
    Q4. The following list includes different categories of people. Please indicate the extent to which you trust each category:
    Elements of assessment
    I fully trustI trust somewhatI distrust somewhatI do not trust at all
    Family
    1234
    Neighbors
    1234
    Friends
    1234
    People you know personally
    1234
    People you meet for the first time
    1234
    People belonging to another religion
    1234
    People belonging to another nationality
    1234
    People belonging to another branch of Islam
    1234
    Q5. The following list includes different categories of people. Please indicate the extent to which you accept or do not accept them as your neighbors.
    Categories
    I accept themI do not accept them
    Christians
    12
    Jews
    12
    Buddhists
    12
    Hindus
    12
    People of other religions
    12
    Sufis
    12
    Salafis
    12
    Chapter Two: Family and family values
    Q6. How often do you do the following?
    Elements of assessment
    DailyWeeklyMonthlyYearlyNever
    Communicate with parents
    12345
    Communicate with relatives
    12345
    Communicate with friends
    12345
    Communicate with neighbors
    12345
    Socially communicate with people at sport or social clubs or volunteering venues
    12345
    Communicate with people at places of worship/ mosques
    12345
    Socially communicate with work colleagues
    12345
    Communicate with non-Muslim acquaintances on their religious and national occasions
    12345
    Q7. In your opinion, which is more important than the other: adherence to religion or demonstrating good morality?
    Religion is more important than moralityMorality is more important than religionReligion and morality go hand in handAnother opinion, please explain
    Chapter Three: social media
    Q8. How often do you use the Internet?
    DailyWeeklyAt irregular intervalsI don't use it
    Q9. If you use the internet daily, how much time do you spend online?
    1-2 hours3-6 hoursMore than 6 hours
    Q10. What is the purpose(s) of your use of the Internet?
    Knowledge and professional purposesCommunication and chattingEntertainmentExchange of ideasFor religious purposes
    Q11. Do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter)?
    YesNo
    Q12. If you use social media (Facebook, Twitter), which of the following best describes the nature of your use?
    Content publisherAn active user / follower / I only interact with what is publishedI follow but do not interact with what is published
    Chapter Four: Citizenship and belonging values
    Q13. How proud are you of your country?
    Very proudProudNot proudNot proud at all
    Q14. There are several factors that determine each person's identity. In your opinion, what are the three most important factors that determine your national identity? (Choose only three)
    LanguageReligionEthnicityBelonging to the Arab worldLoyalty to the country in which you liveCustoms and traditionsLoyalty to the country of originMentality / (mindset) and way of thinking
    Q15. People have different perceptions about themselves and how they relate to the world. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements:
    Elements of assessment
    Strongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagree
    I see myself as part of the country in which I live
    1234
    I see myself as part of my home country
    1234
    I see myself as an independent individual
    1234
    I see myself as part of the Muslim nation
    1234
    Q16. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?
    Elements of assessment
    Strongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagree
    I am proud of the UAE and I see this belonging as a religious duty
    1234
    I work hard to give my best for the UAE.
    1234
    I am ready to sacrifice in defense of the UAE and its soil.
    1234
    I think obedience to rulers and love for them is a national obligation and a religious duty.
    1234
    Holding to the UAE heritage and traditions enhances national identity in society.
    1234
    Q17. What is your concept of home? (only one answer)
    The UAE with its internationally recognized geographical bordersHome is the country in which a person was born and holds its nationalityHome is the abode of Islam to which Muslims must migrateA Muslim has no specific home, as all Muslim countries are his homelandOther, please explain
    Chapter Five: religious values
    Q18. Do you have a reservation about opening an account at a non-Islamic bank licensed in the UAE?
    YesNo
    Q19. What school of Islamic jurisprudence do you follow?
    I follow one of the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali)I follow the teachings of contemporary scholars who do not belong to any of the schools of jurisprudenceI follow the Quran and Sunnah onlyI select from statements of scholars in line with my wishes
    Q20. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?
    Elements of assessment
    Strongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagree
    Non-Muslim people are not qualified for government jobs
    1234
    When the government wants to make decisions, it must consult with religious scholars
    1234
    It would be better for the state to increase the number of religious people in government jobs
    1234
    Q21. If someone asked you for fatwa about a Sharia matter, would you give them fatwa or not?
    Give them fatwa if you know the answerDo not give them fatwa
    Q22. If you give them fatwa, what are the three key sources you rely on in your fatwa? Please mention them
    Q23. If you do not give them fatwa, to which of the following would you direct them? (only three answers)
    Official religious bodies which are responsible for issuing fatwas in the UAEWebsites of GCC religious institutionsWebsites of non-GCC Arab religious institutionsWebsites of Global Muslim bodiesWebsites of Global Muslim associationsIslamQA.infoSaaid.netAlukah.netIslamweb.netOther, please explain
    Q24. If you are confused regarding a religious matter, what do you do?
    Search the InternetContract the official body which is responsible for fatwa in the UAEContact international bodies or websites which are well-known for issuing fatwaOther, please explain
    Q25. Please indicate to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements on religious matters.
    Elements of assessment
    Strongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagree
    Violating the teachings of religion, even a minor violation, will result in severe divine punishment
    1234
    Non-Muslims should be given the same rights as Muslims
    1234
    Were it not for the existence of reward and punishment on the Day of Judgement, people would not have been virtuous
    1234
    Following the righteous predecessors is the only correct path
    1234
    Only Muslims have the right to practice their religion in the UAE
    1234
    The teachings of the Holy Quran eliminate the need for positive (man-made) laws.
    1234
    It is permissible to adapt Sharia laws with the developments of contemporary life
    1234
    Followers of other religions will not enter Heaven no matter how good their morality is
    1234
    Non-Muslims should not be allowed to build places of worship in the UAE
    1234
    A girl may travel without a mahram
    1234
    It is not permissible for a man to pray at home without an excuse
    1234
    There is no objection to women holding p leadership position
    1234
    University education for boys is more important than university education for girls
    1234
    Human rights in the global sense are inconsistent with the teachings and principles of religion
    1234
    The Document on Human Fraternity signed by religious leaders is a historic achievement that serves the purposes of religion and is consistent with its principles and values
    1234
    I am keen on learning religious teachings and culture from famous scholars on social media, even if they are based outside the UAE
    1234
    I learn religious fatwas from a scholar outside my country because he is more trustworthy and knowledgeable
    1234
    The unified Friday sermon, despite being short, provides me with moderate religious knowledge
    1234
    I do not consider entertainment and sports objectionable from a religious point of view
    1234
    I reject cultures which are imposed on us by the West and are alien to our religion, society, and traditions, and I do not allow them in my family
    1234
    Q26. In your opinion, which of the following characteristics should be reflected by a good government?
    Elements of assessment
    Very importantImportantImportant to some extentLess importantNot important
    The government should draft laws according to the wishes of the people
    12345
    The government should apply only Sharia laws
    12345
    The government should draft laws according to the wishes of the people in some areas, and in accordance with Sharia in others
    12345
    Q27. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?
    Elements of assessment
    Strongly AgreeAgreeDisagreeStrongly disagree
    There is no objection to congratulating non-Muslims on their religious holidays
    1234
    There is no objection to congratulating non-Muslims on their national holidays
    1234
    There is no objection to congratulating non-Muslims on their personal occasions
    1234
    There is no objection to traveling to non-Muslim countries for work
    1234
    There is no objection to traveling to non-Muslim countries for tourism
    1234
    Q28. What is your assessment of the Friday sermon?
    Very adequateAdequateInadequateNot adequate at all
    Q29. To what extent do you rely on the following references to update your religious knowledge?
    Elements of assessment
    AlwaysSometimesRarelyNever
    The General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments
    1234
    The UAE Fatwa Council
    1234
    Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai
    1234
    The Department of Islamic Affairs, Sharjah
    1234
    Fatwa bodies in various countries of the Muslim world
    1234
    Al-Haramain religious lectures
    1234
    Islamweb.net
    1234
    IslamQA.info
    1234
    Saaid.net
    1234
    Alukah.net
    1234
    Demographic Information
    1. Gender:
    MaleFemale
    2. Age:
    3. Emirate/Area:
    Abu DhabiAl AinAzfraSharjahAjmanUmm Al-QuwainRas Al KhaimahFujairah
    4. Educational level:
    Less than secondary educationSecondary educationUniversity degreePostgraduate degree
    5. Marital Status:
    SingleMarriedDivorcedWidowed
    6. Role:
    Seconded Imam (permanent)Imam for rewardImamSupervisorMuezzinPreacherQuran memorizationFriday sermon speaker
    7. If you are Imam, do you perform other tasks?
    Task
    I performI don’t perform
    Memorizing Coran
    12
    Friday’s Sermon (Khotba)
    12
    Religious lectures
    12
    8. Duration of residence in the UAE in years:
    9. How many parts of the holy Qur'an do you memorize?
    10. Nationality: