Islam is a very progressive religion, and I feel it is important to give it praise where praise is due. Over the centuries the faith has been usurped by power hungry regimes, and transformed into a tool of social oppression. But alongside the negative aspects, Islam, at heart, advocates very progressive beliefs. You may not know it, but while Christians were sacking cities and killing who ever refused to give them the time of day, Muslim empires reached a peak of cultural affluence: [spoiler][quote] [url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-architecture-patterns-idUSN2245118920070222]While Europe was mired in the Dark Ages, Islamic culture flourished beginning in the 7th century, with achievements over numerous centuries in mathematics, medicine, engineering, ceramics, art, textiles, architecture and other areas.[/url][/quote] [/spoiler] Also, if you take a real look at Islamic scripture, the Quaran, actually advocates gender equality: [spoiler][quote][url=http://www.mwlusa.org/topics/equality/gender.html]"O mankind! Be conscious of your Sustainer, who has created you out of one living entity (nafs), and out of it created its mate, and out of hte two spread abroad a multitude of men and women. And remain conscious of God, in whose name you demand your rights from one another, and of these ties of kinship. Verily, God is ever watchful over you! (4:1)"[/url][/quote][/spoiler] Lastly, present Islamic authorities, and scripture as well, advocate a flat earth perspective: [spoiler][quote] [url=https://wikiislam.net/wiki/Flat_Earth_and_the_Quran]Shaykh Abdul-Aziz Ibn Baaz, the former supreme religious authority of Saudi Arabia, believed the earth is flat, and so does Muslim Researcher on Astronomy Fadhel Al-Sa'd, who declared in a televised debate aired on Iraqi Al-Fayhaa TV (October 31, 2007) that the Earth is flat as evidenced by Qur'anic verses and that the sun is much smaller than the Earth and revolves around it. As devout Muslims, they have good reason to conclude the Earth is flat; the Qur'anic verses 15:19, 20:53, 43:10, 50:7, 51:48, 71:19, 78:6, 79:30, 88:20 and 91:6 all clearly state this and not a single verse in the Qur'an hint to a spherical earth.[/url][/quote] [/spoiler] Perhaps besides the negativity often associated with this major world faith, we should recognize its merits, and give praise where praise is due. In many ways it has the potential to surpass the most progressive faiths today. We also shouldn't forget the extent of US led aggression that has destabilized much of this region. When we hear reports of the madness, we should not forget our share in the turmoil. Hopefully awareness of facts like these will help to put the region on a path toward improvement.