A Non-Muslim’s Love for Islamic History – How Is This Seen?

Assalamu Alaikum, everyone. I have a deep fascination with the history of the Middle East, especially the era of Western imperialism and how it led to so much suffering. Even though I’m drawn to the culture and history of the Muslim world, I’m not a Muslim myself. I’d like to know how the Muslim community feels about non-Muslims who genuinely appreciate the diverse cultures and histories of places like the Levant and Iran. I dream of visiting countries like Iraq, Lebanon, and Afghanistan. I don’t want to pretend to be a believer because that would be deeply disrespectful. Yet, I worry that my lack of faith might make it hard to truly connect with local people. I’m open to any thoughts, even if they’re critical. I sincerely want to learn and show respect. JazakAllah khair for reading.