On a side note, who is to say that the rest of the world isnt backward in its own ways?
The West with it's social experiments on homosexuality and its ilk, the obscene promiscuity abounding there too. People forgetting about their creator and pouring all their heart into this ephemeral Dunya? Jews and Israel? Christians and their multitudinous sects all based around a man god?
In retrospect, the question is not "are Muslims backward" because the rest of the world has its own "backwardness".
The question is, "Are Muslims upright enough?"
Only we have the truth and the tools to spread it. And Spread it has.
If Muslims are so backward.... why the deluge of new converts? Even in light of fierce criticism and mischaracterization from the media?
This Ummah has to concentrate on it's strengths which greatly outweigh its CURRENT problems in order to glorify Allah as our Islamic forefathers did!
"'(Disbelieving) nations will appear to be inviting each other to you just as diners invite each other to eat a bowl of stew.' Then someone asked: 'Will that be because we will be small in number at that time?' He answered: 'On the contrary, you, at that time, will be many. However, you will be scum and foam like the scum and foam of bodies of water. Allah will remove fear of you from the breasts of your enemies and Allah will instill al-wahn (weakness) in your hearts.' Someone asked: 'Oh Messenger of Allah, what is al-wahn?' He replied: 'Love of the life of this world and an aversion to dying.'