[CatoRenasci]

Sir, you unfairly malign the 13th century, one of increased productivity and trade in Europe and a rising standard of living (cut short by the world cooling and the Black Death in the 14th century). Islam has never emerged from the depths of the Dark Ages in which it has been mired since its founding.

[DCPatriot]

But I've read that the Middle East was a leader in mathemetics and science at one time.

Until Mohammed put the kabosh on it...ala Cambodia's Pol Pot, who would summarily execute a person for the "crime" of owning eye glasses.