[Sundae]

Grav, I do get the original question, but the answer lies in bigotry and ignorance (genuine and assumed).
There are many many things you can read about Islam which might suggest a Muslim could not live in a country with democratic ideals.

But their holy book - like those of Judaism and Christianity - was written in a time when democracy did not count. The opinion of the vast majority of the men in the country meant nothing. And women and slaves were owned heart and soul by their Master, as were their offspring, regardless of whether his opinion counted in the wider world or not.

Mohammed was surprisingly enlightened for his time, more so than some Mormons in the last 100 years. But there are words and attitudes adhered to by some of his followers than can be condemned by today's standards.

Practices are open to interpretation.
Words can be twisted.

If you ask me what a generic American might regard as an problem with Islam I would suggest some of the more warlike passages of the Koran, conversion of non-Muslims with death to those who resist, suppression of women, homophobia and the rules laid down about pilgrimage to a foreign land.

These are perceptions. Some correct (and true in all three of the Abrahamic religions). Some taken out of context or only observed by fundamentalists. Some true but not really a problem. You are an intelligent man and you've admitted that you're not predisposed to bias in this case. I hope this reply helps.