A telephone opinion poll conducted by King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue, about the level of interaction between Saudis and expatriates in the Kingdom, showed that 35 percent of Saudis think that foreigners adjust easily to local traditions and customs. The poll of 700 people across the Kingdom on June 27, revealed that 54 percent believe the diversity of nationalities enriches Saudi society; while 75 percent welcome the intermingling in commerce and at work. A total of 45 percent believe there is respect, honesty and justice in the way expatriates are treated, while 60 percent say they interact socially with their foreign neighbors. Faisal Bin Abdul Rahman Bin Muammar, Secretary General of the King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue, said the center set up a unit five years ago to measure public opinion. The unit has conducted several opinion polls on various aspects of cultural dialogue in Saudi society. He said the center is in the process of expanding the opinion poll studies. It has formed a team of experts; and developed computer programs linked to communication devices which carry out statistical analysis without any human intervention. He said the unit provides its services to both government and non-government bodies and stressed the importance of these polls to provide a clearer picture of issues facing society. He said the poll included male and female citizens in most parts of the Kingdom. It showed that there is acceptance, cohesion and cooperation between citizens and expatriates.
