Never, in any way said that they were limited to the Arab/Muslim world.

However, the largest block of countries with a common language/religion and culture that suffers from the 2nd highest poverty rates in the world is the Middle East and North Africa. Again, with the exception of sub-Saharan Africa (which is made up of many differing language, religious and ethnic groups) no area on the planet with such a large, talented and cohesive block is as poverty stricken and poorly educated as the MENA. Why should this be so? Why can't the MENA nations get their acts together? It completely baffles me.

There is no reason that this should be, given the linguistic, cultural and religious cohesion of the region it should be world leader.