Could you name an Islamic country that has freedom of expression and freedom of religion?

Question

Lebanon has a constitution based on a Christian major (slightly above 50%, so it doesn't count)

Egypt: In Egypt it is ILLEGAL to convert out of Islam http://www.spcm.org/Journal/spip.php?article4619 , the Baha'i faith is not allowed in Egypt http://bahai-egypt.blogspot.com/search/label/ID%20Cards , and more.

In Indonesia atheism is forbidden, because all people have to, legally, adhere to Pancasila which believes in one supreme God. Thus polytheist are also not allowed to practice their beliefs legally.

The UAE prohibits proselytizing, and restricts the ability of nonrecognized religions to conduct business as organized groups. It also prevents conversion out of Islam.

The rest are all the same. Perhaps the only country that has signficant tolerance for other religions while having a clear Muslim majority is Turkey. Although they make up for that by having no freedoms for ethnic minorities (the Kurds and Armenians come to mind).

As for Indonesia, does anyone remember Lina Joy ?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lina_Joy

Answer 1

No

Answer 2

Turkey, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Oman, and Indonesia (although Indonesia is having some problems right now. So is Lebanon). Also, Afghanistan and Iraq technically have those freedoms now too, but in practice it's not always so.
Some other Islamic countries are also looser than you'd think. Most Islamic countries except for Saudi Arabia still have small minorities of Christians, Jews, Baha'i, and smaller, ancient local religions. Even Iran.

Technically, in Shiara, Islamic law, Christians and Jews at least are called "The People of the Book" and they're considered to be not quite equals, but still better that other religions because they too only believe in one God, as well as in characters such as Adam, Abraham, David, Solomon, Jesus (whom Muslims consider a prophet). Christians and Jews are supposed to be allowed to practice their own faiths if they want, but they have to pay a tax and not proselytize (try to convert others to their faith).
In fact, in some ways, Christians and Jews have freedoms Muslims don't. In a lot of Islamic countries, Christians and Jews can drink alcohol, and Muslims can't. Also, Christians are allowed to eat pork, and they can have religious icons like paintings and statues, and Muslims can't.

Answer 3

Syria, for all its support of terrorism is actually pretty tolerant. Jews, Christians and Muslims live and work together. Until Al-Quida was in Iraq, Iraqi Christians (one of the OLDEST sects in the world, they still speak Aramaic) practiced freely. Now Al-Quida says they must pay a tax, as the Koran says, or die. Most Muslim nations are intolerant. They deride freedom of speech and expression. Remember the cartoons they were upset over? That depicted them as violent? Remember how they reacted, by rioting and attacking nuns. Sort of redundant..to riot protesting a depiction, that you insist is false, and do so violently. Makes you wonder. We should not give up our freedoms, to include our right to publish cartoon just because we may piss someone off. They are the ones with the tolerance issues, not us.

Answer 4

Well, In Iran we do have our Armenian Churches, and Armenian Schools, and our own ARMENIAN clubs. And we do have an ARMENIAN LANDSCAPE for summers which the ladies can
were their swimsuits, that land has very tall very tall wall all around it, inside the Armenians have total freedom to do what ever they want to do, like dancing,singing but of course nothing out rages.
That place called HIYKASHION, now back in the Capital of Iran, (Tehran) we Armenians are allowed to do everything as long as we follow their rules and laws and at the same time we have to were does head scarf and the uniforms.

in other city's like Isfahan, Shiraz, Kerman, well it is a bit harder for Armenians.
As far as having total freedom well that is impossible, but for a fact we ARMENIAN Iranian do appreciate what ever freedom we do have, it was not like this i mean during Shah of Iran's era, things where much much open and easier.

Answer 5

It is important to remember that Islam is not only located in the Middle East. This means that there are a number of countries that meet high standards in both free and fair elections and also in civil and religious liberties. Check Freedomhouse for this information and other countries (www.freedomhouse.org):

There are a number of Islamic majority countries around the world that rank high on both free elections and civil liberties (for example, Mali and Indonesia).

Just to note other countries listed above and their freedomhouse rankings:
Turkey is partly free
Lebanon is partly free
United Arab Emirates is NOT free
Egypt is NOT Free
Oman is NOT Free

Answer 6

You might want to check the wording.

An Islamic country would not have freedom of religion as it is a state with a Religion built into its gov'ts doctrine. However, Muslim majority nations are a different thing.

Anyway.. judge for yourself...

ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majority_Muslim_countries

Answer 7

TURKEY!

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God bless the Turks; they voted an Islamist party into office, and they could very possibly be the first to ever vote it out! How's THAT for freedom of expression?

Also, you're allowed to be Jewish, Christian and even Bahai in Turkey, so freedom of religion is still very much in place.

Answer 8

Maybe Turkey?

Answer 9

None.

Freedom of expression and religion are starting to slip away in this country to under Bush.

Answer 10

Lebanon they have a Christan president.

Answer 11

Lebanon is close.