Why can someone from Iraq move over here, but if I move to Iraq I will get kidnapped or killed?

Question

Note: I only use Iraq as an example.

I would like to travel the world, as would many people. I want to visit places in Europe and get out of America. I want to visit Middle Eastern states and see what the culture is like, only I worry I won't be accepted over there because I am a "western infidel".
I'm not going to say that when Middle Easterners come over here they are any more safe (They are no longer targeted by the people, it is the U.S. government thinking they are terrorists they aren't safe from), but they can live here without being targeted by the people for being Middle Eastern. If I was to go to Iraq and try to move about in the country, let's just say, I wouldn't make it very long.
Why are we not accepted, or invited, to come and enjoy the people and the culture of the Middle East?

Please don't post any one-sided, negative answers. This is a serious question and it deserves a serious answer.

Thank you to everyone who has answered so far. There is a lot of insight behind all of these answers. I do know there is abuse towards people from other countries in the U.S. That is inevitable. I can see where everyone else is coming from on the religious aspect and respecting their religious ways. I would think it was weird if everyone was praying and I was just walking around the streets.

Answer 1

Because the American government has had its fingers in the affairs of the rest of the world, and specifically the Middle East, for over 60 years, trying to protect American interests. We have shown a complete disregard for the welfare of anyone except the American people.
Take Afghanistan for example: when they were fighting off a Soviet invasion, the US sent special forces troops there to train the Al-Qaida fighters and supply them with weapons. This was motivated solely by our desire to "keep the Russkies in check" and not from any sort of concern for the Afghani people. When the war was over, and Afghanistan was free, but a ruined country, the US brought their special forces guys home and basically said "Thanks for fighting the good fight. Good luck rebuilding your country."
This is only one example of how America serves its own interests at the cost of everything else. Why do you think we care so much about the Middle East? No, its not to stabilize a region that needs democracy. There are plenty of regions like that in the world, but they don't have the largest proven oil reserves in the world. Take the oil out of the Middle East and you get Africa.
Because of the way our government acts, people from other parts of the world hate all Americans. That is why you can't visit places like Iraq if you want to continue breathing.

Answer 2

James, this is a very difficult question to answer and also to solve. I think a great many of us, like you, wish to travel to the Middle Eastern states and explore different cultures. I am Canadian and I feel the same way. I would be treated as a "western infidel" as well. It all has to do with religion. What ever your beliefs are, were usually, passed down from your family. People like to think that what they believe to be true is the only answer. So they are special and better than the next religion. The U.S. is a melting pot, and Canada has become the same way. We welcome different cultures, and try to let people live with their opinions. But the Middle East, goes back centuries and are so fanatic about their religion. We don't really understand this nor will we ever. That is not to say they are right. They really should try and be more tolerant. Will it happen! I don't so.

Answer 3

XXXXXXXX This is America. Land of the free. Our constitution gives all people the right to freedom no matter where they come from. Many Americans were killed when they fought Great Britian in the War of 1812, then there was the Mexican_American War, and the Civil War were we killed eachother, after that we fought the Spaniards, the World War 2 where Americans were killed in Europe, we fought in the Korean War after that, then in Vietnam. Vietnam showed no mercy on Americans and starved our POWs Prisoners of War til they died of malnutritian, Desert Storm in Kuwait, and now the Iraqi war. All these people from countries that have killed millions of Americans are living here as I neighbors. Our Constitution, The Bill of Rights, The Gettyburg Address, and otherlaws here in the United states says everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Anyone has the right to live in the United States as long as they have legal documentation. etc, etc, etc, which hurts us in a long run because the Iraqis from 911 were here legally, went to an Aircraft school and learned how to control the plane right under our noses. I think we are too lenient and should change a whole lot of laws. We get oil and other precious commodities from other countries so it's like you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Unfortunately America has more to offer so we get hit the worse.

Answer 4

It's sad that some Middle Easterners regard us as enemies, although I don't think all of them do. It's a lot to do with the political scene in Muslim countries. There is a lot of unrest and tension in some of those countries right now, especially since the Israeli and Lebanese skirmish.

There has been fighting in the Middle East since Biblical times, 3000 years ago, and there probably will be for centuries to come. Basically, the fight has been territorial. Each country thinks it deserves a bigger piece of the pie, and so they fight over territories. Even the Holy Land is not exempt. It's really not a safe place to be in our modern society.

My suggestion is, if you really want to experience the people and culture of the Middle East, try to cultivate some friendships here in this country among the Muslim population, and pray that eventually, all nations will be able to co-exist peacefully.

Answer 5

Okay, well America is more stable than Iraq (for example) at the moment. I have friends that went over there and came back safe and sound. This was about two years before the war.

If you want to explore the middle east there are other places to go. Dubai and Bahrain for instance. Ummm, I also have friends that have gone to Syria and Israel. I am not advising going to Israle now but after things calm down, why not?

Answer 6

I think it is important to get a more complete picture. Have you heard about the people who were killed in the US because they looked middle eastern (and this wasn't the government)? There were many cases of this happening. It is interesting you find this an issue. Again, thinking from the other end of the spectrum, what about the visible minorities in the US who are told, to their face, "this is not your home... go home". Black, hispanic, and all other visible minorities suffer from this discrimination on a daily basis. I think there should be more work on the problems at home, rather than complaining about the next man's yard.

Answer 7

Blame U.S. foreign policy over the past 60 years. Our government has used its power to act in the interest of American big business over the needs of local people and for some reason the local folk don't appreciate that.

Answer 8

Because America is a good country compared to Iraq, who would give up these gasoline prices to go over there.

Answer 9

I think becasue we as the US has pissed the world off so they dont like us and have no use for us. but over here the US likes immigraints cuz of the cheap labor