[2banana]

and in fact its basic function is to spread lies and falsehoods about the Arab world, of course under an academic

The truth about the "Arab world"

Saudi Arabia - Conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death. Bibles are illegal.

Yemen - Bans proselytizing by non-Muslims and forbids conversions. The Government does not allow the building of new non-Muslim places of worship

Kuwait - Registration and licensing of religious groups. Members of religions not sanctioned in the Koran may not build places of worship. Prohibits organized religious education for religions other than Islam

Egypt -Islam is the official state religion and primary source of legislation. Accordingly, religious practices that conflict with Islamic law are prohibited. Muslims may face legal problems if they convert to another faith. Requires non-Muslims to obtain what is now a presidential decree to build a place of worship

Algeria - The law prohibits public assembly for purposes of practicing a faith other than Islam. Non-Islamic proselytizing is illegal, and the Government restricts the importation of non-Islamic literature for distribution.

Jordan - Has the death penalty for any Muslim selling land to a Jew.

(All information is from US State Department Human Rights Reports)

I could go on with more examples.

[thequest]

Is it possible that these guys are afraid of outside influence because some are afraid of being colonized, again.

After all, a lot of Latin America was colonized by some of these "missionary" groups.

Many of these countries feel threatened and are going thru a period similar to Europe's Middle Ages. I don't think a Buddhist or Islamic missionary would have survived too long that environment.

Just a thought.