مسلمانوں کا نیوٹن ۔ ڈاکٹر عبدالسلام — Page 403
393 Weinberg an avowed atheist۔" I can confirm that he is right۔We were both geographically and ideologically remote from each other when we conceived the same theory of physics for unifying the weak and electromagnetic forces۔If there was any bias toward the unification paradigm in my thinking, it was unconsciously motivated by my background as a Muslim۔" Certainly, Salam's integrity and intelligence did not permit his beliefs, or matters of personal preference and ego, to determine the outcome of his scientific work۔The creator of Electroweak Unification never, for example, claimed that this theory was the last word; he spent much of years before 1968 seeking routes for a more complete vision of physics۔But his religious beliefs and cultural background deeply influenced the course of his life۔These became more important as he grew older۔At the one level he sought peace, tranquility, and inspiration in contemplation and prayer۔He became persuaded that the Holy Quran demands man to seek scientific truth, and that man has been uniquely empowered to solve the deep mysteries of the universe۔At another level, he became an intrepid fighter for the causes of even those who would have nothing to do with him۔Intensely proud of the Muslim contribution to science and civilization and upset at how they are usually forgotten or sidelined, Salam would gently bat eloquently admonish Western audiences for their ignorance۔Significantly, he began his Nobel Prize speech about the travel of the Michael the Scot to Muslim Spain in the search for knowledge; in those days the lands of Islam were the sole repositories of learning۔Before Muslim audiences he would make passionate exhortations that Muslims should re-enter the world of science and technology before they became utterly marginalized۔Nothing hurt him more than the stony barrenness of the intellect in Islamic countries today۔He was deeply mortified, he recalled, when a Nobel Prize winner in physics said to him: "Salam do you really think we have an obligation to succor, aid, and keep alive those nations who have never created or added an iota to man's stock of knowledge۔14 Salam's epoch-making achievements as a scientist stand in stark contrast with dismal failure to bring science back to Islam۔It was not for lack of trying, but nothing ever really worked۔The Islamic Science Foundation, a grand scheme for scientific advancement with an endowment of $1 billion collected from oil rich countries, came to nought after Salam was banned from ever setting foot in Saudi Arabia۔Kuwait and Iran did give some money for supporting their scientists at the ICTP, but the amounts were niggardly۔Promises by kings, princes, and emirs remained promises۔Salam's efforts did contribute towards creating at least some of the score or so organizations whose raison d'être was to accelerate science and technology in Muslim countries۔But these organizations are but litter on the landscape, providing nothing but cushy jobs for those who sits at their helms۔Salam died on the 21st November 1996۔The Islamic world, deep in medieval slumber, scarcely noted it۔Prof۔Hoodbhoy is professor physics at Quaide Azam University, Islamabad, and author of a book Islam and Science۔