I’ve always wondered - if people who are Jewish want to experience the wonders of, say, Dubai, are they welcome in the UAE? In Dubai? In various venues and accommodations? Are there any restrictions on their opportunities?
In my experience, damn welcoming. I’m not Jewish, but the hotels in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai where my friends–a quite eclectic mix including at least one Jew–and I had no problems whatsoever.
If you don’t dress in Orthodox Jewish clothing (or something similar) how would they know you are a Jew?
As long as you are not Israeli.
As long as you have money, why would they care?
Sadly, in some places they do care.
Because your name is “Weinberg”?
I’ve wondered the same thing myself. I know that some Middle Eastern nations are not so welcoming (I’ve heard bad things about Saudi Arabia), but Dubai is said to be different. Of course, welcoming a paying guest at an expensive hotel, or a businessperson, may be different from granting a residence permit (or a building permit to a synagogue).
(The OP asks not just about Dubai, but also “others in the mideast:”)
So take a look at the official application form from the Saudi Arabian consulate for anentry visa. (pdf). It must be submitted by all businessmen(but not tourists) before they are allowed to enter the country.
The form requires that you list your religion.(immediately after name, address, birthdate,etc)
Dubai is open for business and is welcoming of anyone who can pay for the room. In my experience, it’s pretty rare to even interact with locals in the service industry, almost everyone seems to be a guest worker and they absolutely are not looking for trouble.
I can’t speak for Dubai, but as a Jew myself (although one with a generic enough last name that doesn’t make my religion obvious), I can tell you that Turkey, Morocco, and Cyprus were equally welcoming to all religions in my opinion. On the other hand, there was NO WAY I would have advertised my religion in Egypt. In fact, I tried to play myself off as being Canadian even though I am American. Even before the recent political problems there, many of the people you’d meet on the streets of Cairo looked like they were itching for a reason to get in a fight
Why would you think they would not be welcome? Do you think the wealthy and, no doubt, educated hotel owners of Dubai, and their managers, are likely to be incapable of distinguishing between people who happen to be, by accident of birth and perhaps also religious conviction, happen to be Jewish, and agents of the state of Israel?
Muslim tradition and theology dictates a tolerant and respectful attitude towards Jews, and through most of history Jews have been treated well in Muslim ruled parts of the world, usually considerably better than they have been in Christian ruled parts. On the other hand it is true that many Muslims, especially Arab Muslims are very angry about how the state of Israel, and many of its people, have treated Muslim Arabs living in its neighborhood, and even angry about the very establishment of the sate of Israel on what were formerly Arab, Muslim lands.
No doubt most Arab Muslims are also aware that most Jews (not to mention also most non-Jewish Americans, and the American government) are supporters of the state of Israel and its policies, and no doubt amongst some more ignorant and prejudiced Arabs this overflows into a generalized racist hostility towards all Jews or even Jews and Americans, just as, in America, very justifiable anger about the actions and policies of Al-Qaida and certain other Arab and Muslim run organizations (including even certain national governments in the Muslim world) sometimes overflows, amongst the more ignorant and prejudiced, into a generalized hostility towards all Arabs or even all Muslims. However, this does not generally lead to the management of American hotels into refusing to provide accommodation or normal service to people just because they happen to be Arabs or Muslims. Why do you think it would be likely to be different when a Muslim Arab run hotel in a Muslim country is confronted with potential clients who happen to be Jewish (or, come to that, American)? Hotel managements do not usually refuse to accommodate people just because they think they will probably disagree with their political views.
I know a Jewish guy who spent a couple of years in Dubai, quite a bit of it in hotels before moving into an American compound of some sort. He says he never encountered any problems.
You will have problems if you are a Israeli, and maybe problems if you just have that stamp in your passport.
and then there is this possible issue with Saudi airlines:
Have you seen Mel Brooks’ History of the World, Part 1? 
- because anti-semitism is not unknown in the world, and particularly right now in the middle east, and
- because although it may only be the average jerk, and not the well-educated hotelier, who expresses these feelings, even in America there have been cases in which unofficially there has been racial and religious discrimination in accommodations and in other places and services.
So despite your defense of reason, such logic does not take the place of learned experience, thus my question.
:dubious:
Not an accurate (or very realistic) method of determining who is and is not Jewish and/or American.
This is so sweet.
Certain middle eastern countries won’t allow people entry if they are Israeli or if they have an Israeli stamp on their passport.
My name sake isn’t exactly known for his tolerance towards Jews.
Yes, Israel will stamp a piece of paper and insert it into your passport. Certain countries will not allow you to visit (Jewish or not) if you have been to Israel.
Also, IIRC Saudi Arabia requires you to be a monotheistic religion adherent to get in; something I read said no Hindus need apply. As mentioned, some states and many of their people equate Jew with “Agent of Israel”.
I heard the tale of St. Simeon from a coptic in Cairo, at the Cave Church in Garbage City. The tale was very medieval in its nasty simplicity, the “evil conniving Jew” trying to get Simeon in trouble with the local Caliph. And… the fellow, young and presumably edcated, recounted the whole thing with a straight face seeming to earnestly believe it. (Of course, if St. Simeon did move a mountain 3km in the name of his God in front of the Muslim Caliph, why is Egypt Muslim not Christian?)
I recall a comment (Lonley Planet?) by one backpacker, who had the paper-in-the-passport treatment when he went through Israel and into Jordan. Before going to Syria he was warned to remove all traces of Israel, so he got rid of the paper and any other evidence. (Back when Syria was visitable) He missed the Jerusalem youth hostel stamp in his hostelling booklet(?). He mentions when the Damscus hostel there saw the stamp, they called the police. there was no bargaining or bribing to get out of it, they obviously were so scared they just called the local Gestapo. He was deposited on the border and told not to come back, ever.
I wonder how they treat atheists? On the entry form, is there a “Non of the above” selection? If you are an atheist, do you have to lie to get in?