[Ian Ringrose][1]'s [answer][2] explains that it is cheaper and less-risky for an oil-rich Arab state to build oil- or natural gas-fueled power plants than nuclear power plants. In addition to the two non-Arab muslim countries (Iran and Pakistan) mentioned in the original post, two others ([Turkey][3] and [Bangladesh][4]) are currently building Russian-designed nuclear power plants. The Russian deals involve borrowing money to pay high capital costs. For example, the Bangladesh deal includes borrowing eleven billion dollars with a variable interest rate that is 1.75 percentage points higher than LIBOR, and a 28-38 year repayment period. The *Koran* condemns [usury][5], as opposed to trade. Arab countries therefore avoid interest-bearing loans. This makes it very difficult for oil-poor Arab countries to finance nuclear power plants. [1]: https://politics.stackexchange.com/users/4800 [2]: https://politics.stackexchange.com/questions/1872#10041 [3]: https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-t-z/turkey.aspx [4]: https://world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Bangladesh-Russia-ink-12.65-billion-Rooppur-plant-deal-29121501.html [5]: https://islam.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/riba