I got this from another forum.

Islamic extremists and others like them dream of an Islamic world where everything would be wonderful and people will be living according to the dictates of the Koran and Islamic Sharia law.

We have Iran , Afghanistan(under the Taliban) and Saudi Arabia for an example of what a totally Islamic society looks like.

How wonderful is life in Iran, Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia and other Islamic nations for that matter? Is their happiness meter higher than other places? Are these countries the best places to live on earth? Is there more justice and equality in these Islamic countries that are governed by the dictates of Sharia? Why are their citizens leaving and going to other western infidel nations in search for better opportunities and better lives? Do Muslims the world over want to live in a country like Afghanistan the way it was under the Taliban? What is the evidence that Islamic sharia law is good for humanity when Muslims are now crying for democracy and freedom and many of them are now running to the western world?

I'll like to hear the muslims take on this. Abuamam.

dalaman:
I'll like to hear the muslims take on this. Abuamam.

The assertions are really baseless. The number of Saudis looking for a 'better life' in the West is practically negligible. Conversely, there are far more non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai and Kuwait... all of which are based on the Sharia; than there are Muslim Saudis, Qataris, Emiratis snd Kuwaitis in Christian countries. There are also legions of non-Muslim emigrants from non-Sharia countries, to the West... like Nigeria. Referring to the emigration of some people from Muslim countries does not automatically imply an indictment on the Shari'a. In actual fact, practically all Muslim countries from which emigration is high, do not practice any form of the Shari'a, and are mostly secular; eg Egypt, Pakistan, Lebanon, Indonesia, Malaysia... etc.

As for Afghanistan, their interpretation of the Shari'a was influenced by the situation that they found themselves. As the saying goes, to a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. To a man whose only personal possession ever, is an AK47, everything is a target. Their ideology is a totally harsh form, based on what they feel best defends their religion and their culture. They were never given the opportunity to develop their system of government and make advances in Islamic knowledge, so as to attain the necessary level of understanding to build a proper equitable Shari'a system. So it is unfair to judge the Islamic system of Government based on signals from a country that has been war torn for 3 generations.

Abuamam:


The assertions are really baseless. The number of Saudis looking for a 'better life' in the West is practically negligible. Conversely, there are far more non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai and Kuwait... all of which are based on the Sharia; than there are Muslim Saudis, Qataris, Emiratis snd Kuwaitis in Christian countries. There are also legions of non-Muslim emigrants from non-Sharia countries, to the West... like Nigeria. Referring to the emigration of some people from Muslim countries does not automatically imply an indictment on the Shari'a. In actual fact, practically all Muslim countries from which emigration is high, do not practice any form of the Shari'a, and are mostly secular; eg Egypt, Pakistan, Lebanon, Indonesia, Malaysia... etc.

As for Afghanistan, their interpretation of the Shari'a was influenced by the situation that they found themselves. As the saying goes, to a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. To a man whose only personal possession ever, is an AK47, everything is a target. Their ideology is a totally harsh form, based on what they feel best defends their religion and their culture. They were never given the opportunity to develop their system of government and make advances in Islamic knowledge, so as to attain the necessary level of understanding to build a proper equitable Shari'a system. So it is unfair to judge the Islamic system of Government based on signals from a country that has been war torn for 3 generations.

I asked many questions but you preferred to dwell on just one or two of them. If sharia is the best system for humanity as musims claim, then what evidence is there to show that those that practice it live in a better and just society than those that don't?
How wonderful is life in Iran, Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia and other Islamic nations for that matter? Is their happiness meter higher than other places? Are these countries the best places to live on earth? Is there more justice and equality in these Islamic countries that practice and are governed by the dictates of Sharia?

dalaman:


I asked many questions but you preferred to dwell on just one or two of them. If sharia is the best system for humanity as musims claim, then what evidence is there to show that those that practice it live in a better and just society than those that don't?
How wonderful is life in Iran, Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia and other Islamic nations for that matter? Is their happiness meter higher than other places? Are these countries the best places to live on earth? Is there more justice and equality in these Islamic countries that practice and are governed by the dictates of Sharia?

The assertions are really baseless. The number of
Saudis looking for a 'better life' in the West is
practically negligible. Conversely, there are far
more non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai
and Kuwait... all of which are based on the
Sharia; than there are Muslim Saudis, Qataris,
Emiratis snd Kuwaitis in Christian countries.
There are also legions of non-Muslim emigrants
from non-Sharia countries, to the West... like
Nigeria. Referring to the emigration of some
people from Muslim countries does not
automatically imply an indictment on the Shari'a.
In actual fact, practically all Muslim countries
from which emigration is high, do not practice
any form of the Shari'a, and are mostly secular;
eg Egypt, Pakistan, Lebanon, Indonesia,
Malaysia... etc.
As for Afghanistan, their interpretation of the
Shari'a was influenced by the situation that they
found themselves. As the saying goes, to a man
with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. To a
man whose only personal possession ever, is an
AK47, everything is a target. Their ideology is a
totally harsh form, based on what they feel best
defends their religion and their culture. They were
never given the opportunity to develop their
system of government and make advances in
Islamic knowledge, so as to attain the necessary
level of understanding to build a proper equitable
Shari'a system. So it is unfair to judge the Islamic
system of Government based on signals from a
country that has been war torn for 3 generations

tartar9:
The assertions are really baseless. The number of
Saudis looking for a 'better life' in the West is
practically negligible. Conversely, there are far
more non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai
and Kuwait... all of which are based on the
Sharia; than there are Muslim Saudis, Qataris,
Emiratis snd Kuwaitis in Christian countries.
There are also legions of non-Muslim emigrants
from non-Sharia countries, to the West... like
Nigeria. Referring to the emigration of some
people from Muslim countries does not
automatically imply an indictment on the Shari'a.
In actual fact, practically all Muslim countries
from which emigration is high, do not practice
any form of the Shari'a, and are mostly secular;
eg Egypt, Pakistan, Lebanon, Indonesia,
Malaysia... etc.
As for Afghanistan, their interpretation of the
Shari'a was influenced by the situation that they
found themselves. As the saying goes, to a man
with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. To a
man whose only personal possession ever, is an
AK47, everything is a target. Their ideology is a
totally harsh form, based on what they feel best
defends their religion and their culture. They were
never given the opportunity to develop their
system of government and make advances in
Islamic knowledge, so as to attain the necessary
level of understanding to build a proper equitable
Shari'a system. So it is unfair to judge the Islamic
system of Government based on signals from a
country that has been war torn for 3 generations

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai and Kuwait are all what they are today because of the non muslim westerners, they are the ones that developed those countries are are still developing them, most of the the buildings, roads, train network, factories and industries were designed and built by them, so as expected they are supposed to be there.The first person to discover oil in Saudi Arabia was a white American who went looking for ways to help them discover alternative sources of water. How wonderful is life in these sharia nations compared to others? Is there more justice and equality in these Islamic countries that practice and are governed by the dictates of Sharia?

If the world were to suddenly Islamicize, the US would still be the dominant military power and could then impose its own version of Islam across the world. The Chinese would likewise do the same in the regions they influence. They could even make jihad against those Muslims who belong to different sects around the world. They could take over Mecca and Medina with ease and control access to those places.

An Islamicized America would be more dangerous to the Middle Eastern countries than even now, because they would be acting as the protectors of 'true Islam' when they went to war over in the Middle East.

Would you really want the US to try to impose their version of Islam on northern Nigeria, and use extreme force to do it?

dalaman:


I asked many questions but you preferred to dwell on just one or two of them. If sharia is the best system for humanity as musims claim, then what evidence is there to show that those that practice it live in a better and just society than those that don't?
How wonderful is life in Iran, Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia and other Islamic nations for that matter? Is their happiness meter higher than other places? Are these countries the best places to live on earth? Is there more justice and equality in these Islamic countries that practice and are governed by the dictates of Sharia?

Well, generally speaking, and keeping in mind the fact that no country presently practives the Shari'a fully, the crime rates in countries that practice the Shari'a are much lower than those countries of commensurate population densities that do not. A happiness meter is a non-existent entity, one man's meat is another man's poison. The fact that citizens of prosperous Muslim countries that practice the Shari'a have access to the basic neccessities of life in an equitable way, and their poor are taken care of to some extent, tells us a lot about their satisfaction; added to the fact that these people are proud of their countries, and rarely ever wish to settle down elsewhere.

To me, Saudi Arabia is the best place to live on earth. It is safe, peaceful and calm. It has a good social welfare system and healthcare. Basic necessities of life like food, fuel etc tend to be cheap. Housing is a bit expensive, but there are financial programs for those who wish to own them; and a reasonably educated Saudi has plenty of opporrunity to live very comfortably. Yes, I would love to spend the rest of my life there; since I do not plan on living a life of crime. To those who are not used to a disciplined life, they might see it as limiting, and of course, the justice system is unforgiving to any who they deem to be on a path harmful to society. To a cocaine pusher or an alcoholic or a compulsive gambler, Las Vegas in Nevada might be HIS best place to live on earth... understandable.

Is there more justice and equality? I do not know how to answer that. Islam certainly discourages inequality based on skin colour or wealth or position. There is a theory that acts of violence and rebellion are proportional to perceived injustice by the perpetrators. In that case, seeing that the vast majority of Saudis are loyal and patriotic, I would rate their justice level quite high. Of course, you can take isolated cases and point them out as examples of whatever point you may want to prove, but I have been to Saudi and experienced their society first hand. The repressive picture being painted is largely propaganda. It is also telling that thousands of young Saudis are givenfeducational scholarships by their Government to study in the Western countries yearly. Very very few of them remain behind to live there. Almost all return to their country, even after having tasted Western lifestyle. This tends to show that they are happier back home. Compare that to Nigerians who study abroad. How many would come back after their program?

In any case, these things are abstract. The Shari'a is a system designed to instill equity and justice in a society; and ensure that no segment of society has any advantage over another in obtaining the basic needs of life. If properly implemented, it should produce the desired result. However, we need to remember that the people who rule have their flaws also.

dalaman:

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai and Kuwait are all what they are today because of the non muslim westerners, they are the ones that developed those countries are are still developing them, most of the the buildings, roads, train network, factories and industries were designed and built by them, so as expected they are supposed to be there.The first person to discover oil in Saudi Arabia was a white American who went looking for ways to help them discover alternative sources of water. How wonderful is life in these sharia nations compared to others? Is there more justice and equality in these Islamic countries that practice and are governed by the dictates of Sharia?

The non-Muslim westerners there are contractors and workers. The fact remains that the movers and planners are the Saudis, Emiratis etc. Nigeria has oil too. So does Angola. The same westerners 'helped' them to develop their oilfields too. What is the differentiating factor between these countries and the others?

Again, what are the criteria for a 'wonderful' life? How do you measure 'justice and equality'?