If you mean by integrate - contribute, yes. If you mean by integrate - assimilate, no.
As above.
It's exactly the same in the West. If any of you guys saw that 30 days program on channel 4 a few days ago you'll have seen the average american has every negative thought about a muslim you can think of. One christian complained about the azhan (call to prayer) - said it was part of her religion not to hear other's call to prayer (I can't remember exactly what she said, but it was pretty much that). What ze hell?!
It works both ways. The west is considerably arrogant and ignorant to other cultures and similarly the East isn't just going to welcome any old westerner, unless you're in saudi in which case you'll be treated like a king/queen for your time spent there.
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Maybe, but the west is taught very little of other cultures and even less on religion.
My point was: it's one rule for you and another for me: i can put up with your church bell ringings but when the adhan goes, all hell breaks lose? Jeez, and I thought we were the bad guys (!)
I don't know about that. Maybe in certain countries it's not so bad. But like you said at the beginning: the west tries - which means there is still a barrier. Granted, the West does try, but perhaps it's trying too much or in the wrong way (oh i don't know, invading countries perhaps?)
Long live democracy: let's crap on those who say/believe otherwise.
It's exactly the same in the West. If any of you guys saw that 30 days program on channel 4 a few days ago you'll have seen the average american has every negative thought about a muslim you can think of. One christian complained about the azhan (call to prayer) - said it was part of her religion not to hear other's call to prayer (I can't remember exactly what she said, but it was pretty much that). What ze hell?!
I would suggest more interfaith dialogue. However, I can understand the negative thoughts that Americans may have toward Islamic people who do not conform to our society. I have not experienced this disdain myself, but this may be because the Muslims in my area have pretty much integrated.
It works both ways. The west is considerably arrogant and ignorant to other cultures and similarly the East isn't just going to welcome any old westerner, unless you're in saudi in which case you'll be treated like a king/queen for your time spent there.
Like HeiGou stated, at least the West has tried to accomodate Easterners. I don't see as much effort being exerted by Islamic countries.
Two completely different cultures and you're asking for interconnection? It's gonna take a lot of time and a truck-load more patience. I do think that it can be achieved but people's perceptions nowadays are as they are: considerably negative.
This interconnection may not happen in my lifetime. I do like to think that it is possible. Perhaps for the time being, we should all stay in our own countries and adhere to our own cultural practices, unless we are willing adopt a new cultural practice.
:?
Agreed. Now if the west say out of the east and vice versa, just for a few years, i think people will have cooled off. And when I mean stay out, i mean no media on it, no joking about it, no crapping all over their beliefs. But seeing as were are all humans here, it's not going to happen.
kay: