I recall in the 1993? when we were preparing to bomb Iraq for invading Kuwait, our CNN reporter was in the downtown Baghdad plaza filming and talking to the Iraqi public, and it was just around Christmas time. He showed vendors selling Christmas trees, and shops all decorated with Santa & nativity scene, and even a bunch of people singing Christmas carol as if you were in any western country.
I agree with you, under Saddam there was FORCED tolerance that muzzled the foaming at the mouth Islamic militants. Now its free for all.