Why countries are rising against Muslim tourists? By Rohini Verma

After the 9/11 incident, there have been many incidents of killings and blasts across the world. In the last few months, the world has seen terror of groups like ISIS. The throat cutting videos and fanatic fatwas from Muslim clerics have forced the world nations to look at Islam with a new approach. This approach is influenced by Islamophobia. There have been many incidents of killing innocent people, rapes and demolishing buildings related to other religions. So, various countries are taking steps to control Islamic activities.

Recently, Austria passed a law banning foreign funding of mosques and Islamic organisations. This step was taken so that Muslims do not get money for terrorist activities. Such laws controlling the funding are very much needed in our nation too. Apart from such laws, Muslims are unwelcomed in many nations.

According to the Global Muslim Travel Index, Ireland is one of the least friendly places for Muslims to visit. Muslim tourists demand the presence and accessibility of “halal” restaurants and the provision of prayer rooms at airports, shopping centres and hotels. They are also considered a serious threat to nation’s security.

According to this index, Mexico is the least Muslim-friendly country in a list of 25 countries with Ireland being at second-last place. The United Kingdom was at sixth place and the US was the 14th most welcoming country for Muslims. According to the index, Muslims prefer the nations where they get halal meat and where mosques are easily available.

With an increase in Islamist militant attacks, most of the nations have rising anti-Muslim sentiments. But there is no such problem in nations like Malaysia which is the most preferred global destination. Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Indonesia followed Malaysia in choice of holiday destinations by Muslims. The Muslim tourists wearing Hijab and skull caps are seen as threats to the local liberal cultures. Moreover, Muslim tourists are also engaged in different crimes in the countries that they visit.

Now, let us see the other side, where people of different faiths visit the Muslim countries and the treatment they get there. Generally, these tourists are considered threats to Muslim culture. Various Muslim nations have issued guidelines and even threats for the western tourists visiting Muslim nations.

For example, Turkey is a very popular destination for tourists from the west. But it shares a long border with war-torn Syria where murderous Islamic State fighters operate. Turkey’s beaches are toured by devout Muslim men who hand out leaflets to foreign women telling them to cover up and dress from head to foot. The tourists are given the examples of local Muslim women who wear all-in-one bathing costumes that cover their bodies from head to foot. These fanatic Muslims have threatened tourists especially women that if they do not follow the guidelines issued, they would be attacked. In many Muslim nations people are forbidden from following their religious practices in open. Under these circumstances, people have to think carefully before they visit any Muslim country.

Courtesy: http://www.irishtimes.com/, http://www.dailystar.co.uk/, www.bbc.com