Salam Dear Brother Joseph,
Pick up any newspaper (or internet news) we find so many negative news about Muslims. Blowing people up in the name of Allah and His Rasool, corruption, bribery, favoritism, illiteracy, disease, poverty, bad governance, honour killings, minority bashing, ignorance, sectarianism, "Me and my group is the best" syndrome, etc etc. Muslim countries contribute nothing to science, technology, medicine, fine arts, etc. etc. If we were to ask any non Muslim about what their impression of Islam and Muslims is, it is negative.
Muslims are big on rituals. According to a litmus test, simple way to see if rituals are helping the Muslims is to observe their societies. Apparently even rituals are not helping! They have been made to appear as if they are good for individual salvation. Allah always asks the Muslims to do something for a reason (unlike a Dictator). When a medicine is designed to stop the spread of (say) malaria, how smart is it for people to keep taking it? Rituals are designed to create those who do good works the results of which should be not only seen in societies but be an inspiration to others in the world looking for a better system.
I was wondering if you have given thought to this disappointing state of affairs. Once the Muslims were the opposite of what they are today. What led to their downfall and (2) What, in your view, will revive them?
Regards