THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD

Abstract

In Islamabad, while speakers at a recent OIC/Comstech (Standing
Committee on Science and Technology) meeting titled “Science in the
Islamic Polity in the Next Century” delivered tirades against the West,
they conspicuously stood at a podium that boldly displayed the words
“Best Western.’” This postmodern paradox captures the angst of a conference
that called for more basic science; more and better textbooks; a
science focused on the basic human needs of food, shelter, and energy; a
self-sustaining science, independent of external money or models; a “Big
Western” science that develops new laser, information, and nuclear technologies;
and a science that better reflects the worldview of Islam.
Amidst calls for transformation, even by individuals who had been at
the helm of the scientific establishment for the last twenty years, it was
clear that science in Muslim nations, particularly Pakistan, had gone in
the wrong direction. Even the “correct” decisions resulted in disaster
because of science policies committed to “big science.” While nations
like Malaysia focused on products that had commercial gain or ensured
the reduction of power of the feudal class, most Muslim nations
remained committed to self-aggrandizement and war (both imaginary
and real) with their neighbors. Instead of developing commercial science
or local science that could meet basic needs and create better health conditions
for women and children, nuclear strategies or “big science” was
paramount. The costs incurred by the Muslim nations are now quite evident-
terrifyingly low literacy rates, the low number of high school and
college graduates, the high number of people suffering from malnutrition,
to mention but a few obvious indicators. It seems the effects of
external and internal colonialism remain, as do pre-Islamic dynastic battles.
In the midst of the utter failure of “big science” or “western science," ...