And add your own religion as well. The Koran and the Islamic tradition spawned out of religious and political rage from its inception are completely inconsistent with principles of toleration, peace, and coexistence. It is nothing less than the expression of totalitarianism cloaked in the garb of religious superiority.
The Chinese written language, for example, was purposefully difficult and not taught commonly, until the last two centuries, in an attempt by the previous centuries' dynasties, to maintain control over the populace, by keeping them ignorant.
On another topic, are any Middle-Eastern products - besides carpets and cotton - competitive on world markets?
Then Khomeini came along and decisively toppled Shah's regime. The unwavering fanaticism of Iranian Shi'ites and their apparent success to intimidating Americans and Soviets showed Muslim that there is much better way for their struggle. Pan-Arabism has been always there. All Arab countries get united and stand up against infidels as another big power, if not superpower. Now, radical Islam replaced socialism as the leading ideology of Arabs for driving out "Western powers", controling their governments, the powers which are blamed for all of their problems, which may not be true.
The popularity of Jihad comes from the fact that Jihad produced many tangible results. The defeat of Soviet Union in Afghanistan, the defeat of U.S. in Iran. Short break after the Gulf War, there is a string of high profile terrorist attacks. WTC bombing, Saudi American barracks' bombing, East African Embassy bombing, the bombing of U.S.S. cole, and now the destruction of WTC. To Arabs, Jihad is on a roll, it is working. No wonder it is popular. Only the complete defeat like '67 War or Gulf War can stop it by making Arabs lose their faith in Jihad.