My take on your key question would be that of course society gets to choose its own taboos, but society must not unreasonably limit individual liberties when doing so. I’m not saying that Arabs need to accept alcohol consumption or extramarital sex, but how is society to control those who do want to take part in these activities? The simple answer is “It can’t and it shouldn’t”. (Of course, sources for alcohol can be limited by the government, but let’s assume that they exist.) If a free individual chooses to drink or have extramarital sex (with another free individual), then that’s their choice to do so.

This underlying principle of respect for individual freedom is what makes a society “enlightened” and “modern”, not the mere acts that fall under such a freedom. Taboos are lifted once people discuss, rationalize and criticize their own taboos. I’m not suggesting that bars and beer stores should start popping up next to mosques in the Arab/Muslim world. Of course, the sensitivities of the majority also need to be considered. But committees like “Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice” (or the shorter title: “Moral Police”) are unneeded and highly intrusive.

So, I agree with you. A society is not “enlightened” or “modern” just because it has alcohol and extramarital sex. But because it respects an individual’s freedom and the individual rights vis-a-vis the state. What the Arab/Muslim world needs isn’t Western culture, but rampant liberalism.

Despite this, America is still at the forefront of science, technology and academia. The American academia is flourishing and produces more than most countries in the world combined!

The two subcultures (the highbrow and the lowbrow) can and must coexist. The scientist, the intellectual, coexist alongside the common man. There is room for both. Rather than criticizing the Bahraini layman for being fascinated with Muhannad and Noor, perhaps you should direct your criticism at the Arab academics, the Arab intellectuals, the Arab politicians, the Arab aristocrats for their complete and utter failure to guide culture. There ought to be more science, more discovery, more debates, but not at the cost of general entertainment and popular culture.

I personally think it’s great that Bahrainis are enjoying a Turkish drama. It’ll only go to improve the Arab culture in the future when some Arab cultures (like the Saudi Arabs, the Yemenis and the Syrians) are further exposed to liberal cultures (like the Turks, the Lebanese, and perhaps beyond?) and relax the stranglehold of the so-called “religious authorities”, the politicians, the so-called “intellectuals”, who have made too many things taboo for far too long.

With love and respect from Singapore
Huang Renxing