Islam and Knowledge

Muslim countries have established organizations to meet their religious, political, economic and social needs such as the OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference), Arab League, Muslim World Bank, Muslim World League, World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), etc. But to my knowledge, no organization or institution has been established to meet the scientific and technological needs. Therefore there is an urgent need to establish the following: - Islamic Academy of Sciences. - Think-Tank institutions to solve scientific and technological problems of the Muslim countries - Islamic Foundations to award grants. - Recognition of Muslim scientists. - Establishment of Alternatives to Nobel Prizes, such as King Faizal Awards. - Prizes for work done or accomplishments of Muslim scientists and technologists. - Islamic Atomic Energy Agency where Muslim scientists and engineers from Muslim countries can be trained in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. - Exchange of Muslim scholars in the sciences and engineering. - Holding of Annual Meetings at the national and international level. Fortunately, Allah (SWT) has given a bounty to many Islamic countries, an income over 100 billion dollars per year. Hence, Islamic countries have the opportunity and resources to make Islamic sciences and technology NUMBER ONE in the world, once again. Let us ignite the spark of our great achievements to be materialized in the near future. Let the Muslim scientists and engineers in the western world contribute to the health, welfare and prosperity of our less fortunate brothers and sisters in the Islamic countries by contributing our brilliance. Insha'Allah, the First World Conference on Science, Technology and the Islamic Civilization will offer the opportunity to tap the cream of Islamic intelligentsia. REFERENCES 1. Syed, I.B.: "Islamic Medicine-1,000 Years Ahead of its Times". Journal of Islamic Medical Association (USA), 13(1): 6-13, 1981. 2. Nasr, S.H.: "Science and Civilization in Islam." New American Library, Inc., New York, 1968, pp. 184-229. 3. Salam, A.: IAEA Bulletin, 22(2), 81-83, and 1980 4. Campbell, D.: "Arabian Medicine", Vol. I, Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. Ltd., London, 1926. 5. Faruqi, I.R.: " Islamization of Knowledge: General Principles and Workplan." International Institute of Islamic Thought, Washington, D.C., pp. 43-48, 1982. By Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph. D. President,Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc.7102W. Shefford Lane Louisville, KY 40242-6462, USA