The short answer is that when it came to blacks, gays, women, etc, it was us doing the discriminating. Fighting that discrimination is just Americans holding themselves accountable and making sure we live up to our own values (and within our own sovereignty and legal structures). Islamic discrimination is something foreign peoples are doing in foreign lands.
Lived in Saudi from 91-92. Took multiple trips to places like Riyadh, Jeddah, and others. Also went snorkeling in the Red Sea, toured the caves in Hufuf, and played in Little League tournaments throughout the kingdom. No travel issues - just carpooled with other teammates.
I think once you are in the kingdom, you are OK*. I was referring specifically to foreigners wanting to get a tourist visa. If I'm not mistaken this was a recent change. *The exception being foreigners on a Umrah/Hajj visa which only allows for travel in between Mecca and Medina.
still doesn't explain everything, I've also seen a lot of outrage about for example Russia's homosexual policies, or China's human rights issues, which are both much much more tame imo compared to what is happening in most countries in the middle east. The subject of criticizing Islam or Islamic countries' issues in human rights violations always somehow turns into a conversation of intolerance, islamphobia which really baffles me.
I can't speak for progressives and liberals but I would be fine with an economic boycott and divestiture of Saudi Arabia like Apartheid South Africa to end its medieval cultural practices. I've often said one reason why we should develop renewable energy sources and move off of fossil fuels is to stop sending so much money to backward states like SA. That said I'm not bothered that Mecca and Medina are only open to Muslims. I have no problem that Hindus don't let non-Hindus into their most holy shrines or that Scientologists only allow the initiated into their holiest shrines.
Why would you stop at Saudi Arabia? If the medieval cultural practices are reason enough for a boycott in your opinion, please tell me which Muslim majority country does NOT have at least some medieval cultural practices (and be prepared for me to prove you wrong if you come up with e.g. Indonesia, as you have done in the past). I think it's farking stupid, and a testament to being intolerant.
Not once in my life living in an ultra liberal town( Amherst, MA) have I heard anyone ever refer to anyone criticizing draconian Saudi policies as islamaphobic. The only time I heard that term used was when bad mouthing individual Muslims or shunning all Muslims.
Many times in my life on this message board I have seen criticism of Islamist intolerance and violence being attacked as "islamophobic".
I tend to think no one bothers them about it because they can drop the price of oil like a rock. But you can bet if the US was preparing to get into a conflict with them... The media would be all over their non-Muslim polices and the fact that they live under Sharia Law and are threatening our freedoms...
