Heaven,
"I think people seek religion when their world fails them in some way."
Heaven, religion loves misery. It provides people with a thought process that fantasizes about a good life beyond their current one and keeps them from despair. One thing to know is that we have evidence of religion, or magic, from prehistoric paintings dating back to 35,000 years ago. It must be hardwired in our brain.
LoveUniHateExams,
"I've read that Islam had a medieval heyday, too - there was relative tolerance of 'the other' and a thirst to acquire knowledge. We must ask why Islam is apparently regressing, not progressing."
Good point Uni. I believe their religiosity is enhanced by the poverty of their lives which in turn is the result of their arid environment. It must have taken a wise and strict ruler to, temporarily, civilize them.