Which side is ignorant of facts? You assume because you see and hear something that is the truth or the facts?
Well, if I see something, it's hard not to treat it as the truth.
I know and understand what I have seen. I know and understand what I have heard. It is clearly evident in Australia. Look around you. The 2 cultures cannot clearly meet in the middle.
So, why would I want to transit a place that does not understand tolerance or beliefs not the same as their own? And I am the one being called stupid, ignorant and a racist?
I don't know what you have seen, I can only take the view and form an opinion on what I have seen.
And having visited Dubai for the first time not 3 and a half months ago, I formed an opinion that it is one of the most amazing places on earth.
I went to the most amazing airport I have ever seen.
I saw one of the most amazing skylines I have ever seen.
I went to the most amazing mall I have ever seen.
I went to one of the most amazing resort hotels I have ever seen.
I went to see the most amazing water fountain show I have ever seen.
I went to the observation deck of the highest building in the world and looked over an amazing, extensive city.
I went and watched the final of Euro 2012 in an Irish bar, full of people drinking. Including locals. All cheering and shouting at the various televisions and talking with each other. I saw no police there, just a couple of security guards in the background chatting amongst themselves and watching the match. And at risk of irrelevance, I also witnessed what were obviously attractive Russian females try and solicit business nearby.
I went to and from the city on one of the widest, most modern highways I've seen. Along the way I passed modern facilities of all kinds such as hospitals and service stations.
I rode in taxis that had air conditioning on full speed!
And what else I saw? I also saw families, I saw little children running about that put a smile on my face (as they always do - God bless them!), I saw women walking around without a male chaperon and I saw couples holding hands. I saw westerners and locals walking side by side, eating side by side with no problems.
I saw no lack of tolerance. I saw no lack of cultural integration. I saw no one at the airport or elsewhere being told to hide any religious items (I recall making a mental note of this, as it is something I had heard the UAE being strict on).
All I saw was a modern, amazing city and place I would love to go back to. All I experienced was friendly, hospitable people.
That, JohnK, is what I saw.