TySixtus

Spain translated as many books into Spanish in one year (2002) as the entire Arabic world has translated into Arabic since the 9th century.

Houston, we have a problem. I think we can safely say that NO, they aren't reforming.

Ty

Booyakasha!

Where did you get this info? Is it true?

Rathpig

After a reread, my statement does need a bit more of an explanation so please indulge me:

The events I am relating took place several years prior to Sept.11, 2001, so the thought of violent retaliation never crossed my mind, nor were physically aggressive postures ever taken on either side.

I did have several dozen administrative complaints made to the university about my "attitude of intolerance". I was inactive post-graduate at the time and derived no income from the school, so there was little they could do about me. I was told on the record to be more "tolerant" of other cultures, and I was told off the record to be more selective with whom I discuss philosophy. I already had a reputation as a long-hair smartass punk, and if I was undergraduate or employeed by the school, I have no doubt they would have busted my balls. I was alumni and a taxpyer that payed "their" salaries, so their hands were tied, thankfully.

I think I had to "explain" myself to literally every humanities professor at least once, but they knew I was an asshole and probably would get worse because of the attention. I am, and I did.

In retrospect the funny part, but what really pissed me off at the time, was the persistent attitude of my Muslim brothers. "Agree to disagree" was not possible. I had to listen to them "explain" why I was wrong. I had to read this biased book, or read this other book. I just "had" to agree that they were "right". It forced my discussion group to hide-out for severals weeks just to be able to discuss anything other than Islam. (I think Nietzsche was all the rage with us at the time.)

I finally told them to fuck off. After that it was just the evil eye and the whispers as I walked by on campus. I thought it was high fun and gained as many supporters as I did enemies. Ahh the good old days...

(While I reminisce, I should mention that I was only once threatened with physical violence over philosophy. A self-proclaimed "Christian" threatened to "kick my ass" in the middle of a class discussion about religion. It seems I pissed him off. Anyway the professor asked him to leave and I never saw him again. I am kinda bigish in size, so it was a genuine willingness on the "Christian's" part to defend his god I think, not just a bully reaction. I was quite shocked by it.)

I hope this doesn't derail this already dead horse of a thread, but since I was asked I thought I would post a complete and longwinded answer.

Rathpig

TySixtus

It's a common statistic. I believe it's from the Arab World Literacy report from that year.

"No more than 10,000 books were translated into Arabic over the entire past millennium, equivalent to the number translated into Spanish each year."

From here.

Sad, but true.

Ty

Booyakasha!

Whoa.

notme

>>This is how we treat the infidels in Saudi Arabia :

We abuse the non-Muslims living and working in Saudi Arabia all the time, especially the Christians and the Jews.

We call them grandsons of pigs and monkeys. We say this openly, everywhere, particularly in mosques.

We do not respect any religions except Islam. This is the Saudi official policy: all religions other than Islam are false. Only Islam is the true religion. To accomplish this extremely bigoted notion, the Saudi state policy is to convert to Islam as many infidels as possible. So, proselytising for Islam is a major activity of the government and the religious department. Those who convert to Islam are rewarded handsomely. This is a kind of bribe, you might say—to force infidels into Islam. Those preachers and Islamic workers who succeed in converting the loathsome infidels to Islam might also expect to be richly rewarded.

In Saudi Arabia , discrimination against the non-Muslims is absolutely rampant, very clear and open. It starts with aqama (red cards for the non-Muslims and green cards for the Muslims). The rule on taxation is also different for the Muslims and the non-Muslims. This is open, clear and meticulously planned Islamic apartheid which might even surpass the enormity of the apartheid policies of the erstwhile South African government.

In Saudi Arabia , non-Muslims are merely tolerated. They have no right to build any places of worship for their customary religious rituals and practices. Non-Muslims are not allowed to observe their rites, celebrate their religious festivals or even extend congratulations to one another in front of any Saudis. If any infidels dare to carry out his religion openly, he is threatened with immediate deportation from Saudi Arabia .

Non-Muslims living in Saudi Arabia cannot marry any Muslim women. This is completely forbidden.

No non-Saudi could acquire Saudi Nationality either by birth or through naturalisation. Recently, there have been some minor changes to the Citizenship laws, but no non-Muslim could ever be awarded with Saudi citizenship.

Infidels living in Saudi Arabia cannot build their own schools.

Non-Muslims who are lucky enough to live in their own compounds can practice their religious activities in secret, out-of-sight of Muslims. This means they have to live like prisoners in their abodes. They could never invite any Muslims in their homes.

During the month of Ramadan, non-Muslims are instructed by the Saudi authorities to respect the religious feeling of the Muslims. The infidels are ordered not to consume any food in front of Muslims. Any violation of this requirement might result in expulsion from Saudi Arabia of the infidel culprit—merely for eating in the presence of a Muslim. That is why, at the outset, in the month of Ramadan, to show respect to the Muslims, the government announces that if the infidels want to consume food they must do this in hiding, completely out of view of any Muslims. I have a premonition that the Muslims living in Europe , very soon, might demand such a law from the governments of their host countries.

The law of Sharia in Saudi Arabia forces non-Muslim women to wear Muslim costume abaya. If any non-Muslim women refuse to comply with this rule she will be in deep trouble with the enforcement authority.

Saudi authorities exert enormous pressure on the non-Muslims to convert to Islam. I have personally witnessed this forced conversion right in front of my eyes. And, to tell the truth, to the joy of many Wahabi Islamists, the Islamic authority is quite successful in this subtle forced conversion into Wahabi brand of Islam. To perpetuate such religious propaganda and coercion, these events of Wahabi Islam conversions are advertised in the leading newspapers with great fanfare which includes the photographs of the newly-converted Muslims published in the media.

In Saudi Arabia , unless a non-Muslim had converted to Islam, he/she is not eligible to receive any charity (Zakat) whatsoever. That is why many infidels from poor countries are enticed to convert to Islam so that the rich Saudi Muslims could earn Allah’s blessings by bestowing charity to these poor converts. <<

Should we treat them in the West as they treat Infidels in SA???