Why are Muslim countries less wealthy than the western world?

Question

They have all the minerals!

Answer 1

Muslim countries are not less wealthy than Western countries.
Look at Saudi Arabia; they are so rich they have to import their servants. Same with Kuwait.
Then other countries that have great natural resources, allow them to be monopolized by a few, leaving other people in poverty. Like Mexico. [Oops Mexico's not a Muslim country.] Or they make little or no effort to develop their wealth, like Iran. Too busy getting ready for the Hidden Mahdi? Or just too busy trying to keep away from the Islamist police?
One big difference I can see is, in Western countries people seem to feel a duty toward their fellows, a duty to cooperate for the greater good. We have all kinds of safety nets and rescue equipment (in case of disaster) and we actually get upset if disaster victims are not taken care of adaquately.

Answer 2

You're joking right? Sorry to be mean but I think maybe you should have looked into this a little more before asking this question.
The muslim countries of Brunei, Saudi Aradia, UAE are some of the richest countries in the world. Infact the middle eastern muslim countries are second only in power and wealth to Europe and the US.
The poorest countries in the world are not predominantly muslim, they are african, asiatic, indian sub-continent, and practice other religions. And actually the world's richest reserves of minerals are found in Africa, where many different religions are practicsed and most people are not muslim, which again has the world's poorest countries.

Oh man..........

Answer 3

The Saudis have been buying companies in the U.S.A. over the last few months.
Saudi Arabia spent 136 BILLION dollars, in June & July buying stocks shares & actual companies. in America..
Saw this on BBC news.
Due to the weak dollar.
So the people at the top have all the cash, palaces, cars etc. while the average person is poor in Muslim countries.
Mind you this also happens in other countries where there is corruption, not just Muslim ones.

Answer 4

Well, basiclly Muslim countries are on the asean region on the planet. And Muslims have this belief of "brotherhood concept" . This concept was used during the era of prophet MUHHAMAD to encourage the developement of thier own peole at those days.

AS developemet strike the whole world, this concept might the barrier for muslims to explore outside world to earn money unlike the westerners,who are normally eccouraged to explore.

Answer 5

Well... Muslim countries aren't poorer than western countries. Nations like Iran and Saudi Arabia are very wealthy. By wealthy I mean, their countries are.... unfortunately, while a very few are extremely weathly, the majority of the people live in 3rd world conditions.

Answer 6

Religion is what keeps the people poor, but the countries are wealthy. The people at the top are the ones hoarding all the goods and money, whilst the normal Joe bloggs starves.

Answer 7

It depends. Are you talking about the wealth of the country, or its people? There are many Muslim countries that have a lot of wealth, and keep it at the top, with most of their population living in destitute conditions. Of course, they blame the US for their plight, even though that has nothing to do with it.

Some of the more moderate and economically openminded countries do have a higher standard of living too. Countires like Bahrain, UAE (Dubai), and Kuwait have a higher standard of living than their peers, and this is more due to their economic policies rather than religion.

Answer 8

They appear to be less wealthy because those in power - the government, ruling class, politicians, and their cronies amass wealth for themselves by exploiting the country's natural resources.

This is also very true in non-Islamic countries in Latin America, parts of Asia and Africa where the government machinery benefits mostly those in power rather than the people of the country. Abetted of course by the Western World - governments and corporartions alike.

Answer 9

Because there is too much in fighting and untrust of one another on a personal and social/cultural level. Look at the countries we (USA) do business with. We do the most business (with the possible exception of oil and illegal drugs) with countries we are fiendly with, and the more business we do with these countries the more friendly we become until we all have strong economies and relationships that are more solid than the countries that are too stuborn to over come differences.

Answer 10

I think a better worded question would have been: Why do so many people live in extreme poverty despite the wealth and resources of many Middle Eastern countries?