In religious point of view, ""Muslims has been advised to seek knowledge from across the globe"" - From Prophet's Mohammed's teachings. Initially some people tried that way and that's why the University kind of thing came to existence(if my knowledge is correct). But later practicing in religion reduced to its basic rituals and people were lazy to go to classrooms. it is people like me who select academic course which is comparatively easy to pass(in examination), who stopped thinking loudly. But there are certain things in Islam, it weigh than everything. So making a Spaceship never become more important than going to Makkah for Hajj! :P