Fundamentally, Muslims do not contemplate a difference between the state and religion.

I get that... but I totally reject the idea of running a society based upon an ancient superstition that is rigidly controlling.

For most human beings religion is a mechanism for coping with being personally conscious and personally mortal and they don't care what others believe or do. Not Muslims! Their faith requires a society unified around their beliefs and practices.

Of course there are exceptions... but these do not square with the teachings of Mohammed.