why would infidels travel to islamic countries today? (safe, deal)

[England Dan]

Firstly, your question is very pathetic. We are not Infidels. That is a term some desert dwelling Muslims refer to non-believers. Let us tolerate that sort of talk for what it is. In the UK most Muslims would starve if it wasn`t for Infidel benefits. Pathetic really.

[modernist1]

Well, the OP's question may be over the top, it may even be absurd - we all know about moderate, safe Islamic countries, but I think only the obtuse would suggest they don't understand how we got here. Islam, largely through the actions of a sizable minority of those who claim to be its followers, has given itself a bad rap. Apart from safety, there are the attitudes towards women, the fact that in theory at any rate, so-called blasphemy laws merit severe punishment, including death, intolerance toward gays etc.
My admitted bias? I believe that all religions should be tossed in the proverbial bin. But the OP's apparent paranoia, or lack of generosity, who doesn't get it.

[jtur88]

If the answer to the title question is "to proselytize", they reap what they sow. I have not heard of any travelers having any problems in Islamic countries if they went there for any other reason.

I, as an infidel, have been in almost every Muslim country, and lived in two of them, and never met a single person who was anything other than generously welcoming and hospitable.

[Tall Traveler]

There are some Muslim countries that are safe to visit...Malaysia, Turkey, UAE, even Saudi is pretty safe although dull as Hades.

[AuburnAL]

Easiest places for westerners to get jobs outside their home country.

I'd love to get a chance to live in Europe or Japan, but my best chances are the Middle East if I want to stay in my field.

[sandman249]

Originally Posted by foadi

I tend to side with guys like Bill Maher and Sam Harris on Islam

Bill Maher is a comedian who says silly things about Islam and Muslim countries. He doesnt know what he is talking about most of the time.

Sam Harris's books and talks about Islam are intelligent and compelling. But is is hard to agree with everything he says on this issue.

[Pruzhany]

Originally Posted by victimofGM

With the rise of Muslim fanatics attacking & killing non-Muslims, why would any who isn't Muslim travel to a Muslim nation?

First of all the fanatics are blown out of proportion by the media. Secondly for those of us who don't listen to the media and are street smart with the right credentials (Education, certifications, training , skills, etc...) actually have jobs that pay extremely better than in the US.

[artemis agrotera]

Originally Posted by danielsa1775

I doubt I would go Syria at the moment (I did a tour through the country in 2003), or Iraq or Somalia as well, That is about it however.

Of course most of the worlds Muslims are South or East Asian, well away from the trouble spots in the middle east.

yeah, Australians even eventually returned in droves to Bali.

[beasley106]

Even though Turkey is a majority Muslim country, culturally I would say it has much more in common with Europe as opposed to places such as Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan. Ditto with Indonesia and Malaysia which are known for being pretty open and accommodating to non-Muslims as well. Bottom line you should not paint every Muslim country with a broad brush since there are a lot of cultural differences between say Saudi Arabia and Indonesia/Bosnia.

[slowlane3]

Nicholas Kristof, (the famous New York Times columnist who has reported on humanitarian and refugee issues for 30 years, visiting over 100 countries), believes that nations such as Bangladesh and Oman are peaceful because they offer education to women and their culture is not misogynistic.