I think you'll find the salafi Saudi family is far more backwards and has a stronger hold in the middle east than Islam.

They have been funding extreme conservative theology since coming into power, making things which were permissable impermissible and taking the middle east into the dark ages.

Also, the religion isn't backwards as much as some people who follow it are. Nothing is stopping anyone who has any religion to do anything which is forward thinking or progressive.

E. G.

1) one of the first ever constitutions was written by the Muslim prophet.

2) the first ever University was created by a Muslim Arab woman.

3) great advances in astrology and algebra came from Muslim Arabs

4) some of the leading scientists in the field of embryology and neurology are Muslims who are inspired and driven by their faith.

5) you have muslim cosplayers, sports men and women, actors, singers, magicians, etc

The issue always has been and will be the Saud family who are known historically to be a barbaric tribe with extreme views, that were hand picked by Britain to be put in power since they were the furthest away from what the ottomans were in their belief.

Step in the right direction. Let me check - well, Saudi Arabia is still the most backward and evil country in the world, but maybe now only 3 centuries behind. Go on this course, and you might become part of the world.

Most important step: Stop this war against Jemen.

Muslims were part of a revolutionary Golden Age, where they travelled to other countries just to gain knowledge.

It always makes me sad seeing state of many Muslims in their community today, but the point you raised cannot be doubted. Those in authority have power, and the Muslims capable of helping the Muslims improve are the ones without any strength

***Slow clap***

Edit: Wait, is there adequate peripheral vision in a burqa? They should make that optional too.

It's a proxy war being fought for the US and UK to weaken Iran. No one will come to the aid of Yemen, anyone backing Yemen will be seen as evil. Saudi will gain power from this and will get authorisation to buy more artillery, warplanes etc and the West will get to see someone put in charge that isn't an allie of Iran.

Yup, Ibn Batuta is a great example. Went America and spent time there before Columbus. Didn't cause a genocide, lived in peace, wrote about the native Americans and their culture, land etc and went back home.