Having optimism about the future means it will change for the better. You are referring to the present. Weird how many people find this concept uncomfortable, and perhaps is a good example of my original argument.

There's foolish optimism too. E.g. what is stopping the dubai government from ending laws like death penalty for homosexuals and atheists, or being put on trial for violating ramedan as a nonmuslim? Nothing, except for their cruel leadership who is interested in harming groups they don't agree with in this manner. Why would you expect to change if it hasn't already? What evidence does the leadership need to wake up from their bigotry and hatred? Has logic and empathy ever shifted a bigots opinions before? I think not. You can argue well "the next generation will be better" but at the same time this current generation of leadership is the generation that should have known better, yet here we are.

Every culture at some stage has its dark ages, western countries did exactly the same thing not more than 200 years ago. They changed, all things change. Your argument regarding the high water mark of cultural morality could be used by Europeans about Americans currently (and frequently is). It doesn't make America a bad country in my eyes though, still find it amazing. I'm not going to judge each place by its lowest points but the gradient its on.

Given that I doubt you are following the high water of cultural morality as it shifts around the world, sounds to me like bigotry might be fueling you here.

Nothing stops them but it doesn't happen overnight. These laws have been in place for a long long time. Women weren't allowed to drive in Dubai until 2018 but it changed. Changes will come but not in a blink of an eye

Change for whom?

Is that optimism shared by the foreign workers?