Why many islamic country like Saudi dont allow practicing of other religion in public?

Question

If they don’t allow public practicing of other religion in Saudi then how come they are expecting that they will have that right to practice in western countries or Asian country like India where they are minority? I hope Muslims are not alone in the world, so they also have to respect other’s view.

And the most strange is when some one is publishing cartoon of Mohammed then they have right to feel bad or even when some one is criticizing “Islam spread with the power of sword” (Popes recent comment on Islam) then also they are protesting, but they never feel bad about what they are doing with non-Muslims in many countries. Why?

Follow two links below which I am providing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_of_religious_freedom_in_Saudi_Arabia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_money_%28term%29

Answer 1

Islam has never been spread through sword, as claimed by west. It is mainly due to the hatred in the heart of christians caused by humiliation inflicted upon them by muslims in crusades. West never forgot it and engaged itself in underground activities against islam including false propaganda.

Muslims ruled the major part of Iberian Peninsula (Spain & Portugal) for more than 700 Years (713AD-1492AD). During that period a significant proportion of the people retained their beliefs, while those who converted to Islam were never forced to do so. After the muslim rule ended It were Muslims that were Converted to Christanity by Force through Inquisition. Those who refused were brutaly murdered. Europe saw the perfect case of Ethnic Cleansing of Muslims by none other than those who claimed (and still do) to be the champions of Human rights. The same is the case in India. India was ruled by Muslims for more than 1 millenia (1000 years). During all the period muslims remained a minority and they still are in the post independance India. Had Islam been spread through Sword Muslims would still have been in overwhelming majority in both Spain and in India.

In Islam drawing of a human figure is prohibited. Thats why You don't see figures of The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) or any other prophet (including Moses and Jesus) in Mosques or any books, magazines etc. It is considered Blasphemous in Islam (Unlike Christians who have drawings and statues of Jesus, Mary and Even God in their churches).

As described above Islam never sread through Sword. The Ideology behind it is a verse of Quran stating "There is no compulsion in Deen (Islam)". So no muslim can force a non-muslim to convert to islam. However when a person do embrace Islam, he can't renounce Islam. If he does so he becomes Murtid. According to Islamic law, the punishment of Murtid is noting except Death. Thatswhy In Islamic countries preeching of Other religions to Muslims in not authorized. However Minorities still have every right to practice their faith as they like, as long as they confine it to themselves.

Even whem muslims fight with non-believers, there are specific rules to follow. such as:

1) No burning of crops or destroying trees.
2) No harm to the old, children and women.
3) No harm to soldiers that surrender.
4) No harm to people who close their doors and dont participate in fight.
5) No harm to people who take refuge in their places of worships (temples, churches, etc.)
6) No harm to those to whom a muslim has granted safety.

In Contrast i would like the readers to just look at one instance in History, of what the So called Civilized west did in war with Muslims. In 1099AD Jerusalem was conquered by Crusaders. The Massacare that followed is described by not muslims but by christian historians including the most biased Herald Lamb in such words "Muslims, Jews, and even any remaining Christians were all massacred with indiscriminate violence. Many Muslims sought shelter in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, where, according to one famous account in Gesta, "...the slaughter was so great that our men waded in blood up to their ankles..." According to Raymond of Aguilers "men rode in blood up to their knees and bridle reins." Tancred claimed the Temple quarter for himself and offered protection to some of the Muslims there, but he could not prevent their deaths at the hands of his fellow crusaders.

Tell me now who spread their religion by Sword? Muslims or Christians?

Answer 2

I agree with you. I am not sure what the point is of banning the practice of other religions in Saudi Arabia (the majority of muslim countries don't). Even if it is the concept that it is the land of revelation and the Kaaba, it could not be more sacred than when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was alive and living there. Even at that times, there were Jews and Christians and pagans all practicing their beliefs along with muslims.

I think Saudi is the example of the extreme rigid practice. I am not sure if there are other countries as strict; maybe Iran.

But I appreciate your point of view and totally see eye toeye. If Saudis do not allow the practice of Christianity for example, then they should not be able to pray when they are in the west. Fair enough

I do not agree, though, concerning the cartoon issue as I believe there are limits to freedom of speech. The cartoons were not expressing a point of view as much as an insult to a very honourable person, even if you do not see him this way.

Peace

Answer 3

All the citizens of Saudi are Muslims there is no non-Muslim minorities, and this is specific to Saudi your statement doesn’t apply to the rest of the Islamic word.

The minority Muslims in India are about 200 million (almost 2/3 the population of U.S)
And exactly why Muslims don’t have “the right to feel bad” about the cartoons
And finally, the pope apologized for what he said, end of story

Answer 4

It all boils down to self-centeredness and fear that Muslims might see the light and be converted to Christianity. Look at Saudis, especially the young, who have had the opportunity to go and see the outside world: when they return to Saudi Arabia their perception of their country in everything (customs, tradition, religion, culture, etc) is radically changed for the better. Imagine these Saudis being fed with mind-boggling Qur'anic verses from Day One! Most of them end up becoming crazy.

Answer 5

Because the leaders of those countries have twisted the Koran so that they can keep a stranglehold on power. Any freedom, religious or otherwise, is a danger to their power. Iraq had a thriving Christian community before the US invaded - look up the Chaldean and Assyrian churches. But after the stability there was destroyed, the radicals starting eliminating the Christians there. To them, the West = Christianity. Not allowing them in to their countries is their way of keeping Western thought out.

Answer 6

Hmph.. got some pretty deep insight about why they wont let other religion practising in public, but then why other countries should let them practice in their countries then?

I think its not about the religion, its more about the people. I've met many muslim that are very tolerating and understanding the diversity of people these days. BUt normalyl those are the educated, modern muslim. I've also met millions of them that still thinkgs that "we are superior, we are the only ones, etc".

I've met one Indonesian Muslim guru once, and actually the essence of muslim are pretty much the same in the world, teach us to do good things in life and to believe in God and his words. But apparently many of these are being interpreted into such actions and attitude..

So i guess its not the religion, its some of the people.

Answer 7

it is only and only Saudi Arab. You come to Bangladesh, and see how we have Temples (Mandirs), Guruduaras, Churches running successfully

Answer 8

they do but it's hidden, the Saudis don't know about it

politics may I say

Answer 9

none.

only Saudi does that.

Answer 10

feeling that their religion is superior to others?