--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before you ask others to respect your…" description: "\"“Before you ask others to respect your beliefs, you have to respect their beliefs. Do you respect others beliefs when you recite and blast from the top..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72f/wafa-sultan-31221_communication_before-you-ask-others-to-respect-your-be_2069102.jpg" --- # Before you ask others to respect your beliefs, you have to… ![“Before you ask others to respect your beliefs, you have to respect their beliefs. Do you respect others beliefs when you recite and blast from the top of your mosque’s minarets these verses? Do you practice the freedom of speech? Why don’t you evaluate (criticize) these Koranic verses?” quote by Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72f/wafa-sultan-31221_communication_before-you-ask-others-to-respect-your-be_2069102.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72f/wafa-sultan-31221_communication_before-you-ask-others-to-respect-your-be_2069102.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72f/wafa-sultan-31221_communication_before-you-ask-others-to-respect-your-be_2069102.jpg) > ““Before you ask others to respect your beliefs, you have to respect their beliefs. Do you respect others beliefs when you recite and blast from the top of your mosque’s minarets these verses? Do you practice the freedom of speech? Why don’t you evaluate (criticize) these Koranic verses?”” [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Respect for others’ beliefs requires mutual tolerance and open dialogue, not selective criticism. **In simple terms:** Respect others’ beliefs before demanding respect. Key Takeaway Practice mutual respect and dialogue. Themes tolerance dialogue religion Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical debate When to use this quote - interfaith discussions - public debates - media commentary Key Concepts human rights ethical discourse Questions to Reflect On - Do you think respectful dialogue can change deeply held beliefs? - How can societies balance free speech with religious sensitivity? A Different Perspective Critics may view it as confrontational. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Freedom of speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-speech/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Respect others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect-others/) ## Related quotes > [The challenge for the church is how do we have unity about basic beliefs and yet respect individual differences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-leahy/the-challenge-for-the-church-is-how-do-we-have-unity-about-basic/) [William P. Leahy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-leahy/) > [“If we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, we must regard their beliefs with the same respect our own deserve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-we-are-to-love-our-neighbors-as-ourselves-we-must-regard-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Humility applied to convictions does not mean believing things any less; it means treating those who hold contrary beliefs with respect and friendship.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickson/humility-applied-to-convictions-does-not-mean-believing-things-any/) [John Dickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickson/) > [Among the other values children should be taught are respect for others, beginning with the child's own parents and family; respect for the symbols…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-faust/among-the-other-values-children-should-be-taught-are-respect-for/) [James E. Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-faust/) > [We have different thoughts and beliefs, respect the differences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-alapan/we-have-different-thoughts-and-beliefs-respect-the-differences/) [Mitch Alapan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-alapan/) > [“This is not true, you give yourself the right to adopt a religion that orders you to kill others, and you say, this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/this-is-not-true-you-give-yourself-the-right-to-adopt-a-religion-that/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [I might respect you as a brilliant intellect, runner, musician or juggler. But respect your BELIEFS? Only if they're supported by evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/i-might-respect-you-as-a-brilliant-intellect-runner-musician-or/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“The world in which we live is filled with diversity. We can and should demonstrate respect toward those whose beliefs differ from ours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-world-in-which-we-live-is-filled-with-diversity-we-can-and-should/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [So many of the problems we have today are because people don't respect the beliefs of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-quinn/so-many-of-the-problems-we-have-today-are-because-people-don-t/) [Sally Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-quinn/) > [Americans will respect your beliefs if you just keep them private. Keep it private.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly-2/americans-will-respect-your-beliefs-if-you-just-keep-them-private/) Bill O Reilly > [Americans will respect your beliefs if you just keep them private.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/americans-will-respect-your-beliefs-if-you-just-keep-them-private-2/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [“I respect your beliefs Andrew, and I'm glad they make you happy. But I'm not up here to be lectured at or spoken down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-clines/i-respect-your-beliefs-andrew-and-i-m-glad-they-make-you-happy-but-i/) [Peter Clines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-clines/) > [We are cast as combatants in the war between truth and error. There is no middle ground. We must stand up for truth, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/we-are-cast-as-combatants-in-the-war-between-truth-and-error-there-is/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [ What \[he\] is apparently objecting to is that not everyone takes his beliefs seriously. Indeed, some don't seem to respect his beliefs at all,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-shallit/what-he-is-apparently-objecting-to-is-that-not-everyone-takes-his/) Jeffrey Shallit > [“I wouldn't deserve you if I didn't respect your beliefs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cayla-kluver/i-wouldn-t-deserve-you-if-i-didn-t-respect-your-beliefs/) [Cayla Kluver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cayla-kluver/) ## More by Wafa Sultan > [“Why does a young Muslim, in the prime of life, with a full life ahead, go and blow himself up in a bus full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/why-does-a-young-muslim-in-the-prime-of-life-with-a-full-life-ahead/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [Western intellectual Islamologists have totally failed in their duties as intellectuals. They have betrayed their calling by abandoning their critical faculties when it comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/western-intellectual-islamologists-have-totally-failed-in-their/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [A culture that doesn't respect half its population will never prosper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/a-culture-that-doesn-t-respect-half-its-population-will-never-prosper/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [“First, why you deny to others what you allow (make halal) to yourselves. When you blast from the minarets (loudspeakers) of your mosques, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/first-why-you-deny-to-others-what-you-allow-make-halal-to-yourselves/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [Only the Muslims defend their beliefs by burning down churches, killing people and destroying embassies. This path will not yield any results. The Muslims…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/only-the-muslims-defend-their-beliefs-by-burning-down-churches/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [“This is not true, you give yourself the right to adopt a religion that orders you to kill others, and you say, this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/this-is-not-true-you-give-yourself-the-right-to-adopt-a-religion-that/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [The problem with Christians is they aren't as good as Jesus. But thank God most Muslims are better than Muhammad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/the-problem-with-christians-is-they-aren-t-as-good-as-jesus-but-thank/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [The worst form of slavery is when the slave believes he is free. This is how women under Islam feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/the-worst-form-of-slavery-is-when-the-slave-believes-he-is-free-this/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [No one can be a true Muslim and a true American simultaneously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/no-one-can-be-a-true-muslim-and-a-true-american-simultaneously/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [A woman's paradise is under her husband's foot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/a-woman-s-paradise-is-under-her-husband-s-foot/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [Brother, you can believe in stones, as long as you don't throw them at me. You are free to worship whoever you want, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/brother-you-can-believe-in-stones-as-long-as-you-don-t-throw-them-at/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [Without criticism of Islam, Islam will remain unassailed in its dogmatic, fanatical, medieval fortress; ossified, totalitarian and intolerant. It will continue to stifle thought,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/without-criticism-of-islam-islam-will-remain-unassailed-in-its/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [Telling the truth after proper investigation is the height of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/telling-the-truth-after-proper-investigation-is-the-height-of-courage/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [The trouble with Islam is deeply rooted in its teachings. Islam is not only a religion. Islam (is) also a political ideology that preaches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/the-trouble-with-islam-is-deeply-rooted-in-its-teachings-islam-is-not/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) > [We have not seen a single Jew blow himself up in a German restaurant. We have not seen a single Jew destroy a church.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wafa-sultan/we-have-not-seen-a-single-jew-blow-himself-up-in-a-german-restaurant/) [Wafa Sultan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) [Explore all 16 Wafa Sultan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wafa-sultan/) ## More Communication quotes > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The problem posed by indirect speech acts is the problem of how it is possible for the speaker to say one thing and mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-searle/the-problem-posed-by-indirect-speech-acts-is-the-problem-of-how-it-is/) [John Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-searle/) > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [A poet is wounded into speech, and he examines these wounds, meticulously, to discover how to heal them. The bad poet harangues at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/a-poet-is-wounded-into-speech-and-he-examines-these-wounds/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [“To engage in dialogue is to serve others via whatever is real inside you; to engage in debate is to ultimately serve the illusions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oli-anderson/to-engage-in-dialogue-is-to-serve-others-via-whatever-is-real-inside/) [Oli Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oli-anderson/) > [What it comes down to for me is this: Will the technologies of communication in our culture, serve to enlighten us and help us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/what-it-comes-down-to-for-me-is-this-will-the-technologies-of/) [Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/) > [In dialogue, there is opposition, yes, but no head-on collision. Smashing heads does not open minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/in-dialogue-there-is-opposition-yes-but-no-head-on-collision-smashing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I've been in a serious conversation with one of my children, and a fan has come up. 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