Re: Saudi Arabia to head conference on religious tolerance

Hmmmm,

Saudia Arabia heading that conference is a snorter for sure. The UAE, Qatar, or the Sultanate of Oman would be better choices. Middle Eastern and Islamic nations with a record of tolerance on Christianity and to a certain extent other faiths such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and yes – Judaism. In fact, my recollection the seat of the Vicariate of Arabia is seated in my old stomping ground of Abu Dhabi (though Dubai is a better place to stomp) which is capital & name of the Emirate in which I lived (city Al-Ain (link is to my former employer)).

The UAE and Oman were truly tolerant, they let us practice, they allowed us to have churches, but they made it clear we were not to get preachy with Muslims. The Churches in Dubai & Abu Dhabi are beautiful and large befitting the large cities they are in, while the churches & compounds are smaller in the other cities and there was a large and vibrant community in each city. Christmas & Easter vigils had to be held outside due to the large crowds that would attend, for many of the maids it was the only services they would be allowed to attend.

On a related but slightly different topic, I remember a friend showing me a comic from the New Yorker or some similar publication. An Arab is behind his desk looking at a document and another is standing nearby. The guy behind the desk is says: "Ya Ahmed, would you look into this budget, they say there is pork in it!".