Judging Islamic world using neutral standards

Submitted by Prashant, Jun 16, 2017 at 09:41

Dear Dr Pipes

In your recent blogs you have praised Dubai and Abu Dhabi as relatively more advanced states in Middle East. Any time we see a sign of modernity of thought in the Islamic world our hearts jump with joy and if Dubai and Abu Dhabi are emerging as regions where people can make better lives for themselves that is certainly something that we should all welcome. But I would like to know if, for example, Jews can build a synagogue in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and preach Judaism. And, similarly, if Hindus/Christians can buy land and build a temple/church to pray and preach the Hindu/Christian way. Can I create a Communist Party in Dubai and invite people to try communism?

These are genuine questions whose answers I and many others will like to know. We need to judge the Islamic world by common neutral standards.

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