If non-Muslims would like to visit Makkah and Madinah, he or she can recite and understand the shahadah mentioned in 2d in the post above and he or she has made the first step to visiting the 2 cities.

When Surah Taubah verse 28 (9:28) was revealed after the liberation of Makkah from the Quraisy people, non-Muslims are not allowed into the city of Makkah. I have not come across any commandments in the Quran which bars non-Muslims from entering Madinah. May be someone can enlighten us on this.

Makkah and Madinah are unlike other cities. Makkah is a place where Muslims of various peoples and creed converge to this one place to perform pilgrimage and worship. Muslims do not enter Makkah as tourists. Perhaps if non-Muslims are allowed into the city of Makkah and Madinah, it will be harder for the authorities to ensure everyone behaves accordingly. To avoid complexity and confusion, it may be better to only allow Muslims in these 2 cities. Allah knows best.

As per the Singapore example provided, just imagine that when u are at the Singapore Airport immigration counter, right after the gentleman behind the counter asks you “Business of leisure?”, then u answer “Leisure, sir, by the way i seriously think your country’s punishment of drug trafficking is a bit harsh, barbaric even”. No thank you, you’ll be refused entry and be on the next flight out of singapore. Simple.
So Mr Bottle, Singapore does care, but upon seeing your silence on this matter it is assumed that you are in agreement to the policies of the country. So silence is virtue
So on second thought, Mr Bottle, it is important to explore all angle of views before one can formulate a proper opinion.
But sometime, people learn from mistakes, dont we Mr Bottle?
Cheers!

Now, what you mentioned is pretty skewed. Yes, a country has its own right to issue visas accordingly. You did not provide specific info for US visa, so i shall not comment. But looking at your resaoning for Singapore’s visa, it’s such a wrong train of thoughts. Singapore say that drug trafficking is punishable by death. What has it got to do with “death penalty is a barbaric punishment” ? When you mention “Only if I agree with their requirements and conditions will I be permitted to enter the country”, you make it seems like you have to agree that death punishment is not a barbaric act, and only by that, you can enter Singapore. Not true. even if u believe that death punishment is a barbaric act and and act of sin, Singapore will allow you in.

Singapore is only warning you that, if you are involved in drugs in that country, if you are caught, you are to face the death penalty. If you believe that dealth penalty is barbaric, Singapore doesn’t care.

Please get yout train of thoughts correct.