A part of the problem is a large percentage of the good practicing Muslims that reside in the west have this strange obsession with showing off and voluntary boasting their inner faith and imaan to everyone around them with no regard for the rest of the public's faith and religious tolerance, be it their vocal or personal presentation… Christians, Jews, Hindu’s, Sikhs etc do not do this to the same extent in their day to day lives!
Simple example, I'm on the train into London this morning, an overtly Muslim couple 3 or 4 seats back dressed in their Jubah and Jilbabs are talking out very loud to each other about their Salahs, Sunnahs, Ramadan plans and what Sheikh xyz said in his baiyaan last week etc, while i can understand and relate to their conversations to a certain extent, I'm not quite sure Simon the suited city worker or Bob the builder sitting quietly behind them really wants to hear it all, it can drive even the level headed tolerant non muslim to border on intolerance, almost like we try to test their level of patience.
Same goes for Mr Iqbal the decent taxi drivers who has been driving non Muslims around in his taxi most of his professional life in Britian, but regardless of who the passenger is in the back, he must be dressed in his shalwar kameez and topi with Islamic radio, naheeds or tilawaat blearing out of his speakers during the taxi ride.
Religion and faith is a very private and personal thing to most people in the west, Muslims need to tone down on their presentation, blend in and practice their faith in peace and private just like everyone else does, only then we will move away from being the topic of the week….
my rant over!
I am sure similarly a few muslims who don't drink go out socializing in a setting where alcohol is served without drinking.
