Top 5 Most Liberal Muslim Countries
Liberal and Muslim in the Same Sentence? 'Tis Very Possible
One cannot simply group countries across three different continents into the same category as radicals. While it is true that some nations such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have strict control over their people's lives, many Arabs enjoy a liberal lifestyle. The following are the most liberal Middle Eastern countries in the world, according to the State of the World Liberty Index.
Jordan - Freedom of religion is upheld in this small state of 5.8 million people; Christians and Jews are allowed to worship freely and they are officially recognized. Women are allowed to serve as cabinet ministers and the Jordanian government is working towards raising the percentage of women in public service. Women are not required to wear the veil, but in some places they wear it out of fear of being ostracized.
United Arab Emirates - Its GDP per capita is the 5th highest in the world and it has the fastest growing economy in the world. It is not a surprise than neighboring Saudis drive into Dubai and other parts of the UAE for the weekend. The clubs, bars, movie theatres, and world class shopping are abundant and control over print media is lax. Christians, Jews, and Hindi can practice their religions freely in this oasis of liberty in the desert of Islamic conservativeness we call the Middle East.
Turkey - This very secular and democratic Islamic nation has ties with the West through organizations such as NATO and is currently seeking entrance into the European Union. Its constitution protects all religions from discrimination; In particular, the Turkish strive for secularism can be viewed in their law that prohibits religious head garments being worn in government buildings, schools, and universities. The Turkish government invests a good portion of its funds into the promotion of fine arts, theatre, and architecture, moving its popular culture closer to that of Europe's.
Kuwait - It seems like a juxtaposition to have such a liberal Islam state be situated right next to troubled Iraq just to the north and the totalitarian kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the west, though its geography does not let it hinder its liberties. Kuwait has one of the most vocal media in the Middle East, allowing the flexibility to Kuwaiti journalists to even criticize the government. Human rights in Kuwait have improved with the country's recent abiding to UN standards.
Bahrain - Its wealth is distributed amongst its middle class, making Bahrain more liberal than its mainland cousins. Religious tolerance is widespread with synagogues peacefully residing next to mosques. It is a Mecca for shopping and vacationing as is Dubai and is lax about alcohol sales and consumption. Bahrain can be said to be the most Western-friendly Muslim nation with the splash of "Arabness" that travels look for when they come. Though Bahrain is the most liberal Muslim nation in the world, people have been arrested for kissing on the lips in public.
Published by Fabienne Hernandaise
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- Its wealth is distributed amongst its middle class, making Bahrain more liberal than other nations.
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18 Comments
Post a CommentMy vote goes to PAKISTAN the great country the 1st female head of state ever was in Pakistan the most free media in the muslim world as well as sub continent the strong civil society womens in every field of life the most diverse muslim nation with more than nine million proud non muslims living freely and the hospitable and welcoming people ohhh i love Pakistan to hell with world media...Pakistan is a great country
liberal doesnt mean shamless i m shocked to read some people r saying that we r liberal coz women dnt scaf in our countries. my wot is for pakistan coz it is diverse it is stronge . the first woman as head of state was in pakistan. women r becoming increasingly stronge in pakistan specially in civil society. even enemies of pakistan admit that dispite poverty pakistan hav the strongest civil society in muslim world.
Wasn't Malaysia the most liberal Muslim country because you can see women with no scarf?
No Muslim has ever been jailed for converting to a different religion in any of these countries. I know many atheists in Bahrain. None of these countries have laws AGAINST the marriage of a non-Muslim male to a Muslim women but it is social unaccepted. You need to accept that every country still has it's norms, just like it's still a norm in the United States for serious crimes to occur every day. Highest rates in the world.
u have to be dum to consider Pakistanin the middle east. Another fact Pakistan is the first nation to have a female president. Get your facts right buddy.
Yes, Bahrain is the most Liberal Muslim Country, BUT can a Muslim women legally marry a non-Muslim man?
NO! to my understand.
Most liberal my butt.
Steven
BUT are any of the Muslims free to convert to any other religion in any of this so-call Liberal Muslim Countries?
If not, then none of them is Liberal. It is just that simply.
Steven
bahrain is so liberal !!!!!!!!!!!
bahrain is the most liberal muslim country ever. !!!!
Indonesia is the largest muslim populated country in the world (90% of its ~250 million ppl are Muslims), so it would be remiss not to mention Indonesia.
People are free to have any religion (at least the big 5: Islam, Buddhist, Catholic, Christian and Hindu) and women are free to dress whatever they want (Spaghetti straps/tank tops, short skirts,etc).
But the most impressive is that Indonesian democratically elected a woman as their President (Megawati Soekarnoputri) in 2001.