[Leisler]

Islam doesn't lend its self to the cool logic of Western tradition.

Basically, these guys were/are nutters.

There is probably some Koranic injunction against equipment. Further, I don't think the mechanical skills and arts of Muslims is all that high. These aren't Germans.

[Spktyr]

Actually, there’s the whole “as Allah wills” thing in the Koran. Basically, some of the Islamicists believe that the wearing of armor is evidence of lack of faith in Allah - for if you are doing Allah’s will, surely Allah will protect you and none of the infidel bullets/knives/swords/arrows will hit you, right?

My ancestors had a *field day* with that particular idiocy when Islamic armies came against us.

[okie01]

Further, I don't think the mechanical skills and arts of Muslims is all that high.

As I recall, the number of books written and/or published in Arabic worldwide averages around 14 a year.

That's outside the Koran, of course.