Lupie...
As someone who lives in a muslim nation I can tell you they are all EXTREMELY different. Even different cities in the same country can be extremely different.
Historically there seem to be what I call two "types" of islam. City islam and the desert islam. City islam (my defintions) is best thought of as the more relaxed islam. They are very open, very interactive women are considered equal and treated the same. The genders mix and get together. (think of egypt, jordan, turkey). Lots of these muslims are very relaxed and accepting of anything. Including drinking.
The desert islam is what is preached in Saudi, iraq, iran and pakistan... it is much more "traditional" and fundamental. This is the women wear burkhas, completely covered, treated as a prized pet, men and women don't mix. It really is from the influence of the Saudi's in the 70's and all of their Oil money. They build mosques all over the world and train imams who are very very traditional.
Again, I have knocked back hennensy (sp) (it is the shieks favorite, not mine, I prefer jack and coke) with a local shiek and seen numerous Emirati's in the local golf club having "adult beverages."