[Slyfox]

For a short while it was possible. They had acquired Aristotle's works in some of their raids and a few of the more intelligent among them started reading the works. For a few centuries, they had developed some very interesting ideas. But it wasn't to last before the imams put the kabosh on the whole enterprise.

No, you can't reason with an ideology born of child brides and war as a means of wealth generation. But, for a very short while reason tried to make an inroad and almost succeeded.

[Sam Gamgee]

Yes, true enough. Maybe Egypt is a bit of a bright light in that regard. Tossed out the extremists that Barry tried to install.