Through colonialization, Europeans systematically destroyed opposing political organizations and created countries which didn't reflect the existing political divisions, making governance in those places very difficult. It also had the result of preventing economic development through the initial growth of industrialization. Since then, Europeans have continued to meddle by supporting corrupt, oppressive regimes which ensure continued European exploitation of local natural resources.

With populations of impoverished people, many of whom work to ship their country's wealth away for the benefit of others being led by governments which they don't support, many turned to the most powerful remaining organizing institution left in their society, their religion.

Take Iran for an example. They were ruled by a British backed monarchy, but demanded the right to elect their own government. When they finally did, their secular leader claimed that the monarchy's agreements with foreigners were corrupt and unenforceable and should be renegotiated to provide a greater share of benefit for the locals. DIssatisfied with the result, the British with the help of the USA overthrew this leader and reinstalled the monarchy which immediately targeted political opposition groups.

In 1979, a student protest got support from religious leaders who mobilized poor and rural Iranians to overthrow the corrupt leadership. With a lack of secular political organization and a desire for strong morality in government to resist the corruption they had become accustomed to, the religious leadership was able to assume control.

People often turn to religion when they think the world is run by greed and corruption. They desire a world with a strong moral code. Religion can be difficult to target by governments seeking to remove opposition, often making it the last institution remaining for people to turn to.