re: And success in the United Arab Emirates
Yes they were but the centuries of Turkish rule broke up much of that cultural heritage. The Arab Muslim world finds itself with only one 'product' to offer the world. A religion and social system that is self limiting.
Faced with the failure (compared to other cultures) of their purpose they are slowly (far too slowly) adapting Western ways. In overview even the success of the UAE will fail when the current crop of leaders die.
No institutions or methodologies are being created to continue their work.