Has Islam strangled Middle Eastern Culture?

This is absolutely wrong. Mohammed (PBUH) encouraged us to learn and get educated. He said: "Seek knowledge even if it be in China," (it means pursue it even if you need to go the the farthest destinations/ countries." Also, the very first Koranic word Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) received from God was "Read." So there's no way for your claim to be true. Science, research and knowledge is a must in Islam, as God commanded us to develop the world, besides praying. This is a basic tenet in Islam, although many Muslims automatically put you under the opposite impression due to their ignorance to this great religion.