Islam and development

Writers have recently theorized that the backwards" conditions in Muslim countries in the middle east are a sign that Islam is an obstacle to development. This is an easy assumption to make, but it is founded on incorrect assumptions and not reinforced by fact. Al Koran emphasizes reasoning, rational, and activism, not passive acceptance, as these authors have suggested. Long periods of foreign domination, which disrupted sociopolitical development, are a more likely culprit for the backwardness of many Muslim countries."