First, Hussein was seen as a strong and charismatic leader who stood up to the West. He refused to bow to American pressure, and he was not afraid to speak out against Israel. This made him a popular figure among Arabs who felt that the United States and Israel were unfairly targeting the Arab world.
Second, Hussein was seen as a champion of Arab nationalism. He believed that all Arabs should be united in a single nation, and he worked to promote Arab unity. This made him a popular figure among Arabs who felt that the Arab world was being divided and weakened by foreign powers.
Third, Hussein was seen as a supporter of the Palestinian cause. He was one of the few Arab leaders who openly supported the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, and he provided financial and military assistance to the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). This made him a popular figure among Arabs who felt that the Palestinian people were being mistreated by Israel and the United States.
Fourth, Hussein was seen as a man of integrity and honesty. He was not afraid to speak his mind, and he was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in. This made him a popular figure among Arabs who felt that other leaders were corrupt and self-serving.
Fifth, Hussein was seen as a pious and religious man. He was a devout Muslim, and he often spoke about the importance of Islam in Arab society. This made him a popular figure among Arabs who felt that Islam was the foundation of Arab identity.
Of course, Hussein was also a controversial figure. He was accused of being a dictator, and he was blamed for the deaths of thousands of people. However, despite these controversies, he remained a popular figure in the Arab world until his death in 2006.