For Muslims :-)) Is the west the best place to practice your religion?
375513
For me, living in the US as a muslim, I think it's pretty easy. In all my 15 years of living here, I honestly haven't met one person who discriminates, hates, or just doesn't like me because I am muslim. It's just the media and a couple of uninformed people that try to scare you about us muslims. Yes, there are some bad people out there that do bad things and call themselves muslims, but every religion has it's goods and bads. Take christianity for example, priests molesting children, Jews bombing Palestinians, Muslims flying planes into buildings, theres just good and bad in EVERY religion. Oh boy, I've gone off topic again, haven't I?
695179
Mekka and the Medina in Saudi Arabia.\n\nI am not Muslim, and planning to remain a non Muslim.  The reason is because I can go to any other place in the world, but these places I am not and will not be permitted to enter them, I want to visit them before I die.  To show respect, not to do any disrespect or harm others.
635579
As an Army Officer and Geography major I actually had this discussion with my old college adviser after dealing with Muslim prisoners (who were relieved to here that I was a Geography major when asking what direction Mecca was in, it seems the ignorance of most Americans is known around the world).\n\nIt seems that the large Muslim population around Detroit has a few geographers in it and they argue that you should pray more to the north because the curvature of the earth makes the shortest distance to Mecca an arch on the map (the reason flights from the US to Japan fly over Alaska and not Hawaii).  Others think that they should pray east south east to be strait line to Mecca on the map.\n\nI would say that the Muslim Submariner should pray in the direction he believes is the shortest way to Mecca depending on location.  I'm sure Allah will understand if he is off.
977637
GO east, GO west. Travel south or even North. Its the same book, same ARABIC text (translations may be different depending on Languages or the knowledge of the translator).\nNot only that but there FIVE prayers during 24 hours. GO any where these are same. There is a special prayer on Friday. Its same in all countries, cities, villages of the world. There is fasting month 'RAMADAN or RAMAZAN' ~ its the same every where though different in start and end ~ as it starts after sightening / seeing of the MOON for that month.\nThese are the miracles of Holy Quran.
689536
Hello Levente...\n\nFor a practising Muslim, any kind of western style dating is not allowed... Holding hands, hugging, kissing, oral sex, even being in the same room alone together are banned!\n\nLet me explain...\n\nOutside marriage any kind of fornication is a sin, and by fornication a mean anything even a lustful look. There is a Hadith that says that it worse for a man to have an axe through his head than even accidentally touch who is not his mahram (wife or blood relative) women.\nFor women (like me) when I'm outside or with non mahram, I must wear hijab (cover myself fully) and I'm not allowed to be alone with a man. etc etc.\n\nWhen I do decide to get married it is not Islamic to have a long engagement etc. And I won't be alone with my fiance until after marriage. Typically family and friends help find prospective partners, and then arrange a meeting where maybe they leave us 2 in a room, and they wait outside with the door open! And then if you are still not sure it is OK to ask questions by phone etc, before you get married.\n\nAs you see it is very different from the western version of romance!! \n\n\nOf course not all Muslim women follow the Koran as strictly as this and we do live in the modern world..but this is the ideal!\n\nAnd I forgot... Its the same for men too of course they are not allowed relationships outside marriage too
1066179
It is not Arab-centric at all.It can be applied every where.I live in Pakistan.It is near India.But I have got all types of Islamic teachings which are required in this region.Moreover Moslims can be found all over the world.If it is Arab-centric religion then there should be no followers of Islam in Asia,Europe,Americas,Austrailia and Africa.This religion is for every region and every type of man.Wether he is black or white,an Arab or a European.\nAvik actually this religion started from arabia.you talk about mosques structure yes it is arabic style because our prophet liked that structure.Same about Arabic language.
272031
i think it west... \npeace out:)
945551
Yes you can I did. You are a Muslim LOL :)
1071825
I don't know the specific punishment for that on the day of judgement but I do know the reason why we have to wear that which I think you already know.\n\nShake hand.. I guess it's gonna be quite tough. I take it you're a corporate women or someone like that? Anyway, whether or not you live in west, aren't you suppose to wear hijab or something to cover the hair? So, I think most people would already know your religion. Um, if they're not.. I guess you can always smile back and nod your head a little as the response to their gesture. I don't think you would have to launch into speech or something, smile to them is polite enough. Just go through the real business already. :)\n\n^_^ I hope my answer helps though I don't have any experience living in west.
171311
It is so revealing to read all the posts, we take the freedom we live in the West as a granted fact of life and project it as if it was like that all over the world.\n\nThe question is very strong... but the answer is actually a strong yes one may not get killed but certainly be harrassed, penalised and often persecuted YES. (I am a member of an inter-cultural institute where I get to understand the issues of refugees and religious issues are a strong part of it)\n\nHow is that ?\n\nHere are Facts then after I will share specific cases:\n\n1) 100% of Muslin countries even Turkey... have special different legal “previledges” (lower) treatment for religions other than Islamic for Muslims\n\n2) Most Christians left Islamic countries within the 20th century - Actually 75% or Arabs in america and over 98% in Latin America are Christian Arabs immigrants (Palestinians, Lebanese and Egyptians …)... at the same time, the original Christian popululation is still dwinding...such as is the case in Palestine where we are withnessing mistreatment of Christians in certain isolated villages… The laws may look tolerant in those villages, but the social and communal intolerance is palpable.\n\n3) The arabic Jews left most Muslim countries for the same reasons.... limitations of their rights and in many instances mistreatment... Some say Israel is the biggest Arabic Jewrefigee camp in the world...(morrocans, Egyptians. Irakees, Tunisians Iranians etc…)\n\n4) 95% of Islamic countries have laws that clearly condemns other religion to share and teach or evangelize, it is considered procelytism and a crime that can lead to the death penalty... Pakistan has one of the most effensive, Irak"s current constitution is even less tolerant of their Chaldean Christian community, and Egypt has laws that really does not allow the Copts and other Christian denomination from doing what they want such as permits approval to build, repair or expand their churches… You will notice that even the most recent churches look like forteresses.\n\n5) Turkey is still hiding a lot of the facts that pertains to the Armenian Genocide. People still went to prison in 2005 for trying to expose those facts...\n\n6) Indonesia technically is a secular Government but the laws are based on Islamic jurisprudence… The Christians and anemiste are more and more persecuted by radical groups\n\n7) Malaysia, with a muslim population of less than 50% have elected a government that intalled the Islamic law (Sharia) and in that law, all mixed marriage … are not consired both as Muslims by the state (Fastest growing religion ??) and there are more and more previledges that other denominations are loosing day by day… The Hindous, Buddhists and Sikhs are feeling the different treatments since the Islamic Government has been in power.\n\n\nCases Here in North Amerca:\n\nMany muslim women have been known to hide their change of faith to their community due to pressure and threat.\n\nThe affirm that you are Atheis is even worsed in an islamic country, many refugees had to change name even here in coming to america for protection against communal threats.\n\nWoman who have converted to other denominations have often been forced not only to devorce but, in Islamic Law, the father have right over the children, the fathers have left with the children and the mother is without any trace, news of them….\n\nConversions is a dishonor to the family…. Honor crimes are not norm yet not unknown even here in America to restore the family’s honor and respect… (some cases were related to conversions into Christianity.\n\n\nI could go on and on and be very specific… But the point is, it is not exposed due to fear of repercussions. No, it is not something that is generalized yet there is deep rooted silence about these issues in Muslim and Islamic circles.\n\nSo please, before you say “I think”  or “I don’t see why not” or “Of course you can” read about the subject and
917925
I think it's weird too. I think they move because they know that the west is a better place to live, more money, better healthcare, better education, and tolerant of religious diversity.\n\nBut some of them, when they arrive, they complain about how immoral it is and how it conflicts with their religious ideals and corrupts their children. \n\nIt's all part of the same package, if you don't want to be 'tainted' by our immorality or have your children growing up in our culture, you shouldn't move here. If you move to another country you should be respectful of their culture. If you don't agree with it don't go.
820337
I love the winter. Living in the uk, I dent like the summer. Cozy nights. The prayer during the day Isa good, only when I'm shopping its less convenient. Fajr and isha is really good. Fasting in short days is also good.
806990
I do so agree.I lived in Muslim countries for many years and adhered to their code of conduct.I feel the old adage 'when in Rome do as the Romans do' is as true today as it ever was.\nWe are a Christian country and welcome people from  all over the globe to live here and benefit from living here so please do not shove your beliefs in our faces as a way of saying thank you!\nWe respect your beliefs so why cannot you respect ours and leave your veils at home
943237
What? We go to the mosque? what are you taking about exactly?\nMen and women have different sections where they pray in, but that is that!\n\nMy husband and I go together with our son to the Mosque!
34288
Well, I'm Christian. There are a lot of Muslims who practice Islam. There's also Catholic, Jewish, Buddhism, Hinduism, and many more.
602193
Yes. It's a free place, isn't it? People start wars over religion. It's better to be friendly.
155044
The west is already at war with a small segment of Islam. The question is, will Islam go to war with itself and extinguish the radical element, or will mainstream Islam join the radicals.\n\nPeople should recognize that huge percentages of muslims are non practicing and don't even go to mosque. This is especially true in Europe where some estimates show 80% of the muslim population not really formally participating.