A little while ago I was reading the Koran (just for interests sake), and I came across a part that said (not quoted verbatum) "it is the duty of every Muslim man and woman to continue to learn, to expand ones knowledge and ones mind."
It also forbids them from killing or supressing people of any abrahamic religion. Meaning Muslims, Christians, Jews, probably Bah'ai's; I wouldn't be surprised if I missed someone.

Yet try telling that to the "fundamentalist" Taliban, or the Saudi courts. The Islamic theocracies ruling much of the Middle East today are akin to such European golden days as the spanish inquisition; the overal medieval Catholic rule really. People who claim to be "fundamentalists" of their holy book, then concoct bizarre interpretations of scripture to justify their fucked up mandates/legislation.

My point being, the growing dominance of Islam has the potential to be a very good or very bad thing, depending on who shapes the form it takes. I get the feeling, based on many Muslim preachers and practioners that I have listened to all over the internet, that a lot of them are as sick to death of the violence and hatred as we are. But the question as to the problem isn't Islam, it's who gets to rule and represent Islam in government.

It's time for the (middle) eastern renaissance to happen already. People within and without are itching for it; the moddern middle-ages' time has come.