Why is today's Islam underperforming in comparison to its 11th century counterpart?

Question

11th century Islam saw a flourishing of science, mathematics, technology, advances in agriculture and even dissent (see Al-Ma'arri's poetry if you find this incredulous), that was the envy of the world. It also welcomed, studied and preserved scholarship from around the globe: Ancient Greeks, Indians, Persians etc. Nowadays, the output of quality scientific research from the Middle East is pitifully low considering the wealth and population of these countries. Israeli universities produce the bulk of scientific output in the region. Scientific Nobel Prize winners from these regions are also very low (Peace prize isn't science). Where did it all go wrong?

Answer 1

I have studied Islam, the Quran for several years. As well I have studied many various bibles, each claiming to be unmodified and pure and true though there were glaring differences between them.

The common thread between a number of popular religions we know today, such as Islam, Judaism and Christianity, is that as they grow and become popular and therefore cultural, a certain arrogance takes root.

This arrogance spawns a hatred of other religions - Einstein termed this in essence a "Not-from-my-tribe-syndrome"

I like this quote from Martin Luther King Jr. because it wisely sums up things:

"Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true."

And when hate becomes a part - even an unconscious part - of anyone's culture or religion, that flaw spells it's Achilles heel, it's failure.

From there on, it degenerates like a cabbage left in the sun too long and maggots begin to feast off of it.

Answer 2

I don't know! I think it's a combination of corruption, oppression & occupations that are preventing them from advancing. Surprisingly, alot of them are not too motivated when it comes to higher education (depending on the country) and many just laze around on the computer, watch tv or dance their night away. And then they complain about why they're not advancing.

LOL....maybe they  should stop and realize the problem is partly them! (But not all). Education definitely needs to be upgraded there :)

Answer 3

A geneartion can't groom under suppression.

First we need freedom from western bullys.

Answer 4

They allowed the fundamentalists to take over. The same thing will happen to the United States if we allow the christian fundies to take the reins.

Answer 5

because their a******s,that's why!