What Matters
Aug 23, 2006
There is a small detail about Muslim Nobel Laureates that I think reinforces the points made by Bithead.
Abdus Salam, a Pakistani physicist, won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1979. He belonged to a tiny Muslim sect called the Ahmadiyya Movement. By Pakistani law, he's not a Muslim. Wikipedia:
Professor Salam was a devout muslim who belonged to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. As such Salam is not officially recognized by the Pakistani government despite the fact that he is their country's first and only Nobel Laureate.
Think about that. A titanic achievement -- a Nobel Prize in physics -- couldn't overcome the sheer bigotry of the Pakistani society.
It's worse in Saudi Arabia. Try bringing a Jewish-authored book in the Kingdom and the customs officials will confiscate it. Names like Einstein, Feynman, and Friedman are banned in the heart of Islam.
The Muslim world would be better off if it were to emulate the Jews instead of trying to erase them.
Thanks for the nod.
A rather disturbing point, that of yours.
All the moreso for what it implies about the chances for a 'moderate' Muslim to survive in the world... and thereby the kind of problem we face.
Posted by: Bithead | Aug 24, 2006 at 03:59 PM
You're welcome.
Here's another depressing post about a moderate Muslim.
Posted by: Isaac Schrödinger | Aug 24, 2006 at 04:38 PM
Thanks, Isaac. I did not know he was Ahmadi or was treated this way.
A relative of mine was ranting on how Qadianis are ruining Islam from within - I didn't pay much attention to what he was saying as is my wont with ranting fools - and it really saddened me that people would still be so worked up on such a non-issue.
Really, deciding who is and is not a Muslim should be the very, very last of Pakistanis' preoccupation.
Posted by: Muslihoon | Aug 25, 2006 at 11:42 PM