How can Muslims claim that “Islam is a religion of peace” but ban non-Muslims from Mecca and Medina?

Simple. They lie. They will smile at you yet stab you in the back.

First of all, "idol worshippers" and "idolators" are those who worship statues and idols -- *not* the "the people of the book" (as it says in the Koran) like Christians, Jews and Muslims (because we all worship the same One True God -- that too according to the Koran). The Bible too write a lot very Jew - and by extension every Christian - is obliged to slay "idolaters" and burn down their cities... it's part of the Fist Commandment (the part about "make no rendered image or statue"). Second, do they actually ban non-Muslims from Mecca and Medina?

I've heard that's just a myth. Although it's not very much to do for non-Muslims in these cities... Third, is things like this so unusual? Jews doesn't allow women into all places of their temples and one may be required do cover ones head.

Don't remember where, but there is a monastary at some island that only accepts men to access their island (they don't allow anything female access, not even female pets). And there are several groups who doesn't allow non-members to enter their sacret buildings.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.