In the 1930's the Wahabbi fundamentalist movement was a reaction to western cultural and the imperialism that was dominating Arab countries.

It mobilized Arab people to fight back as they did in Algiers and ended the French imperialism there.
Same with England's hold on Egypt.
Same with Russia's hold on Afghanistan (with a lot of CIA help)
Same with America's hold on Iran.

Making Islam a state religion has been a first step in freeing middle east countries from many various wetern attempts to extend an Empire.

Once the house of Saud falls, as O. bin Laden desires, all the wars in in the middle east for the last 100 years will be but minor skirmishes in comparison.

Yes religious law is an issue here but it goes hand in hand with politics and foreign invasion.