But what happened? Look at these countries today, which once held such great cultures... isn't it often because of that in countries ruled by islamic laws, freedom of speech and criticism is heavily reduced, thus halting development and creativity...
Fundamentalism. Islam's golden age was destroyed by several centuries of conflict that began pretty much with Pope Urban II's decision to wage a pogrom against the heathen muslims that had spread across the holy land, eg: "God Wills It!" (tm)
This move galvanized the various Christian groups northern Spain to begin eradicating those evil moorish beasts that had doubtlessly brutally converted their countrymen by the sword (a much loved fallacy, especially in Spain)
Anyway, to cut a long story short, enlightened scholarly types weren't much cop at fighting and in a demonstration of the "survival of the fittest" rule, the more zealous took their place. They weren't especially interested in the progressive view and once they had power, that was it.
To suggest, as you have, that Islam itself stands in the way of development and creativity is evidentally a fallacy. If it were true, no such culture could ever have arisen in the first place.
Do not judge any culture, society or religion by those that claim to represent it, they invariably don't.
