Since in many Muslim countries Islam does not allow the presence of other religions and their symbols, should Western states accept Islam on their territory?
Islam and its place in the Western world is a topic that divides societies and reveals the deepest tensions between religious freedom and concerns about security and cultural identity. Critics point out that in many Muslim states Christianity or Judaism are restricted, and religious symbols are outright banned. They ask why the West should be “naively open” to Islam. Supporters of pluralism reply that freedom of religion is a cornerstone of democracy and cannot be limited on the basis of reciprocity. Increasingly, however, voices arise that acceptance must not mean permitting practices that contradict the laws or customs of a given country. Should the West defend its values, even if it means restricting Islam?

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