The Golden Age of Islam was a time of significant socio-economic development deeply rooted in Islamic values. The creation of a secular bureaucracy and the realization of Quranic ideals of equality among Muslims and tolerance towards non-Muslims engendered an atmosphere of meritocracy. But this era came to an end because of the triumph of pre-Islamic tribal mores. Extremist groups disregard the Islamic identity of the Golden Age, and instead uphold pre-Islamic practices that ultimately impede development. The exploration of the impact of multiculturalism on the Golden Age holds significant policy implications even today.