Recently, since 9/11 to be exact, Muslims have become the object of racism, intolerance, and unfair treatment throughout the world. I happen to know several girls my age who wore the head-scarf (hijab) and stopped wearing it after traveling to the US because they were persecuted and discriminated against, to the point that people in public places refused to serve them.
While this behavior is by all means, wrong, I cannot say that it's completely their fault, or that Muslims are any better.
When a tourist comes to Egypt, and brings his or her culture with them, they too are subject to ridicule and discrimination because of it. For example, a woman walking in the street with a mini-skirt on, a strapless top boasting her shoulders and even some cleavage, is hissed at, harassed verbally and sometimes even physically, by a spanking and whatnot, and on very rare occasions, raped, but only if she is alone in a dark street and happened to run into some drug addict or something of the sort.
So, how could we as Muslims expect to be treated any better when we take our religion to their countries. That certainly gave me something to think about.
However, there is an issue that contradicts this theory. In Egypt at least, people are not discriminated against, but simply treated badly, served, even if it's rudely done. But they are served nonetheless. However, people are free to practice religion as they please, without persecution.
However, even though people are free to practice religion and wear religious garments, that rule does not apply to Jews. After the 1973 war on Israel, Jews were no longer welcome in Egypt, and I assure you, if a Jew was seen wearing the head-dress that is common to the Jewish faith, he would not be welcome, or treated or served very well either.
So there is the dilemma for you? Who is right and who isn't? Is there a clear-cut villain in this story? or is it just shades of gray? And more importantly, how can it be fixed?
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