Nobel Prizes are somehow among the very few annual events that I anxiously wait for. In days leading up the Nobel prizes I read about the nominations, and then follow diligently as the prizes are announced. In some ways it is a habit I picked up while in school, but in other ways, it has become a way for me to find some encouragement that despite all the problems that plague the world today (such as oppression, terrorism, extremism, war, etc), sincere efforts of a few are indeed leading to progress, growth and positive development. developments in humanity’s evolution. I find worldwide recognition of glorious advances made in physical, natural or social sciences as evidence that humanity is finding ways to improve itself and become a better collective self.
My thesis advisor for the Ph.D. was a Nobel laureate (Mario Molina, 1995), and if I had not spent 5+ years day and night working right by his side, I would have continued to think of Nobel laureates as some super-humans that ordinary people like myself would never get to know, understand or meet. But now that is not the case. While I have utmost respect for Nobel laureates, and remain in awe of their inspiring and amazing achievements, I am also able to see them as mere human beings who have been able to make a difference in their fields by applying their intelligence, determination and creativity. They are ordinary human beings whose work has made the world a better place.
Muslims, unfortunately, have not been recipients of many Nobel prizes. Is it because our greatest academic achievements were made before Alfred Nobel decided to donate his money for the international awards? Ibn Khaldoum, Al-Khwarizmi, Ibn-Sina, Al-Biruni etc are all ancient names, sometimes only remembered fondly because the names sound mysterious, and sometimes only when their names are seen on history walls in museums. Despite the achievements by these great people, it is often surprising ad embarrassing how few Muslim students have any idea what they accomplished. That ignorance speaks volumes for how our societies have come to value advances in academia (and sciences in particular).
But that trend of Muslims not winning Nobel prizes may be changing. Among Muslims, the name that stands out for me is of course that of Abdus-Salam (also see my post here). He was a Pakistani muslim, who won the Nobel prize in Physics in 1979. However, how sad that internal squabbles within Islam in Pakistan prevented him from ever really getting the recognition he deserved in the Muslim world.
Arabs have had some success in getting to the Nobel Prize pedestal. As a chemist, I am of-course reminded of fellow physical chemist Ahmed Zewail, a Nobel laureate in chemistry (1997). Another name that I have been recently introduced to is of Naguib Mahfouz, a Nobel laureate in literature from Egypt (1988). Eteraz correectly state son his blog that perhaps Muhammad Iqbal was the only other person who came very close to receiving this price (back in the 1940s).
This year has brought a second Nobel prize in literature to the Muslim world. This year’s prize went to Orhan Pamuk, a Turkish novelist who has often been criticized in his home country for highlighting the genocide of the Armenians in the 1st world war period (under the Ottoman empire).
Muslims have received the Nobel Peace prize as well. Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian human rights activist, won the Nobel Peace prize in 2003. She was the first Muslim woman to win the Nobel prize. And today Muslims scored one more. Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh and his Grameen Bank received the Nobel peace prize for creating microfinance institutions and for economic empowerment & development of the very poor in rural communities. One more person, waiting in line, is Abdus Sattar Edhi, the Mother Teresa of Pakistan. Us Pakistanis keep waiting.
October 13, 2006 at 12:18 pm |
I like hearing about people’s achievements. They dedicate their time and effort to it and they deserve to be awarded.
BTW, how did you get the images to stay put? My images go into the text, so I don’t include them usually.
October 13, 2006 at 12:38 pm |
Hi LightContrast: By aligning the images to be right or left aligned, I am able to keep them away from interfering with the text.
October 13, 2006 at 3:38 pm |
But can the trend of Muslims winning the Noble Prize really change unless the rot that is the Muslim society of the modern day fixed?
Unfortunately, Muhammad Yunus and Shirin Ebadi are exceptions. Though, you are right Noble laureates are not necessarily super-human – they come from within us. But how often and far between?
October 14, 2006 at 3:35 pm |
http://lahore.metblogs.com/archives/2006/10/lahores_nobel_l.phtml
October 17, 2006 at 2:26 pm |
this just shows how educated muslims can actually be if they follow thier religon in its true spirit. Islam actually supports seeking knowladge and loathes extremeism and some people misconceive that part. if these muslims can take Nobel prizes then why cant ordinary muslims, all you have to do is use your brain!
October 23, 2006 at 10:31 am |
2 muslim received noble award 2006.
it is good sign to muslim people to work hard ,have a great vision in future.
October 23, 2006 at 10:40 am |
WE ARE WORKING AS A NGO IN INDIA BASICALLY FOR UPLIFTING EDUCATION AND ALSO AWARENESS FOR MINOROTY GROUP, AS MUSLIMS ARE FAILING EVEN BELOW SCHEDULE TRIBES IN INDIA CURRENTLY.
2 MUSLIM NOBLE WINNERS 2006 SHOWS GOOD LESSON TO WRITERS & NGO.
ASLAM JAMADAR
PRESIDENT-EMFM-PUNE (INDIA)
January 4, 2007 at 3:28 pm |
[...] on Rickshaws. Actually, we would like to claim 5 slots on the list: Bilal Zuberi’s post on Muslim Nobel Award Winners on his blog we would claim by association, and while SAJ Shirazi has too much humility and did not [...]
April 18, 2007 at 3:42 am |
you are a great boy.your collection is very good.please mail me about you.i want to make friendship with you.
April 18, 2007 at 7:35 pm |
i like to see the awards that my people have reseved over the years. i also like to see that some people don’t judge us by one mistake of a person
May 30, 2007 at 2:15 am |
It is uplifting to read about muslim Noble laureates, though none of us should feel worse-off because of what they achieved, or our present-day condition. So much of our endevors go unnoticed, or unrecognized. The ratio of Muslim laureates to our total Muslim population would be similar to that of christian laureates, to that of theirs. Remember, it’s a prize begun by a christian, in a christian community! But we all do need to make effort and strive in our own fields, in order to be as good as, or even better than them and perhaps, more than that, we need to actually recognize of the accomplishments of our fellows(usually bogged down by leg-pullers from every quarter!)
August 10, 2007 at 4:02 am |
How can you be delighted by this number of Muslim/Arab Nobel Prize winners? It’s ludicrous! Israeli/Jewish Nobel Prize winners number over 160 from a population of around 20 million. Compare this to the paltry number you have shown from a Muslim population of 1.4 billion! Shame on you! And by the way, the Turkish Orhan Parmuk wrote about the genocide of a million Armenians by MUSLIMS! That’s nothing to be proud of.
October 17, 2007 at 8:04 pm |
[...] here is another interesting read I found while browsing for Muslim Nobel Prize [...]
December 29, 2007 at 3:59 pm |
The Nobel Prize, established by a Christian, as basis for discrimination against Muslims? Apparently the writer is unaware of worldwide peer review of on-going scholarship and research. Suggestion that passing over the work of researchers whose breakthroughs advance health care for everyone; that advances in the Sciences explaining the workings of a wonderful world-just because of faith or origin-smacks of paranoia or perhaps lack of awareness of the world based on self-discovery. If Muslim researchers point to wholesale rejection based on their faith, encourage or support their nations to establish a parallel recognition award designed to bring their work to the publics’ attention. Isn’t the point of the Nobel to benefit all rather than bring favorable attention to a shortlist of favored nations or individuals? Have 1.4 billion people of any persuasion chosen to emphasize non-intellectual goals in school eg rote memorization of the Holy Qu’ran in madrasses in lieu of broader skills and perspectives? Re-nfranchize all our young into the world at large. Students live what they see. I don’t believe the Prophet’s teachings intended to hobble its adherents throughout history. It is hard to do the work for change but it beats lame claims of prejudice by Christians or Jews against a (helpless, victimized?) majority faction in our world!
June 25, 2008 at 6:42 pm |
Please note I have an updated list of Muslim/Arab Nobel Prize winners. There are only three Muslims who won the Nobel Prize in Science and literature. See Muslim Inventions – Nobel Prizes
July 22, 2008 at 2:13 am |
i realy admire all these people who serve there time even life for the humanity but i m realy sorry of the that even the muslims have the greatest contribution through out the history of science but still it is a tragedy that they are not being acknowleged.i wish we the muslims could reatain their glorious past in the scientific world.
August 7, 2008 at 1:38 am |
Its so sad to see that there are sadists like Bernie who exist in this world, sadist who make extra ordinary efforts to drive wedges and demonize Muslims, for no reason other than promoting their Zionist agenda.
Its not only Muslims who should be concerned of presence of Zionists but this concern applies to most other faiths as well as atheists since the long term goal of Zionist is to treat all others other than themselves with brutality and take over the control of entire world although they know well that they will fail to do so however, they engage in such activities as evident from Bernie’s deplorable comments above where he chooses to bash Muslims and others in a ruthless manner and refers to other sites of such interest.
The world should take notice of such elements who are willing to go o any length in order to sabotage and ruin the lovely planet and the creatures existing within.
August 7, 2008 at 1:52 am |
Thanks for the inspiring topic, I know and understand that you did not write this piece to start a competition between Muslims and non-Muslims and rather presented the facts and figures as to how many Muslims have risen to the extent of being an achiever.
Specially it is meant for the Muslim audience to do some soul searching as to why they don’t contribute intellectually to a level that quailifies for rewards such as the Nobel. Its saddening to see that a few readders and who have responded with their opinions appear to have lost their resolve and are charged with their same old tricks to attempt to show down Muslims. Alas, such a great topic and some extremely narrow minded individuals counting on having a field day against Muslims.
Great forum but as usual many irrelevant ones in the audience.
August 14, 2008 at 11:38 pm |
Lame and complete propaganda. Here is a summary of how only 3 out of 1.5 billion Mulsims have taken a Nobel Prize, and of those three, two are “secular” and often touted as unbelievers.
Behold: http://plancksconstant.org/blog1/2006/03/muslim_inventions_nobel_prizes.html
So there…quite a large population with nothing contributed towards humanity except suicide bombing.
August 15, 2008 at 1:43 pm |
Wow, my prior post has been censored. Well, that’s expected of the Islamic culture. After all, in American culture, we can slam our president and openly blasphamize our God, and even let forgieners who hate us, live and prosper here (and put men in jail who beat there wives). Contrast this to opposing opinions in Islam where they are tucked away nicely.
August 15, 2008 at 2:40 pm |
Buddy – If you add useful comments and engage people in a discussion, as critical as your position may be, you will not face censorship. Otherwise, I am censoring your comments that are only meant to provoke hatred. Flaming and trolling are not welcome on this blog. Find a vent for your feelings elsewhere. Take a walk and breathe in some cool air.
August 16, 2008 at 4:26 am |
@Bilal: Fair enough. It will be interesting to see if you feel the below is “Flaming or trolling” or provoking hatred.
@Ike: “the long term goal of Zionist is to treat all others other than themselves with brutality and take over the control of entire world ”
Is that not hypocritical or what? The last time I checked, it was Christian “Zionist” countries that allow freely practicing of other faiths and Islamic countries who not only make it illegal to practic Christianity, but will imprison and kill those caught doing so. Not only does for example, America freely allow the practice of other faiths but we even build footwashing basins in our airports, schools, etc. etc. I don’t recall in my lifetime not one incident where a group of “Zionist” masked men held a hostage reading the Bible, but do recall many videos seeing the beheadings of “infidels” while the Quaran is being read. I also do not recall any “Zionist” riots, as we have seen Islamic riots in France, Spain and England over either a cartoon drawing, teddy bear naming, or speech by the Pope.
It appears that I could take your statement and Find/Replace Zionist with Islamic and it would read accurate for 99% of the rest of the world.
So help me understand where you are coming from because things aren’t adding up.
August 16, 2008 at 3:46 pm |
Buddy: There is no denying that in modern times, suicide bombing has become too closely associated with muslims. Since the Palestine-Israel conflict is not the subject of this post, I won’t even go there to discuss the kind of paralyzed life that encourages people to commit such dastardly acts.
But I think you are well aware that history is filled with acts of cowardly, barbaric acts of terror by people of almost all religions. From the crusades to the bombings of hotels in Jerusalem by Zionist extremists…The point is that man is capable of causing a lot of damage – but it is also capable of really moving humanity forward and making their lives better. Those who have been awarded the Nobel prize represent those few who have been able to move the ball forward – make the sum total of human knowledge and existence more meaningful.
August 16, 2008 at 4:32 pm |
Bilal: Yes, there is no doubt a majority on all sides of religion, that is peaceful and something that represents the good in humanity. The past for all of us has plenty of darkness that we often turn our heads to, however, it seems that the Muslim response to the Jihad activity is been along the lines of “well, you know there was the Crusades…”. This is 1,000 years ago, has been openly criticized by all Christians (including the Pope who has formally apologized). We can learn from history, so let’s talk about today. The media is at least 80% propaganda (though America has less of it than dictatorship/communist countries and the Olympics is a good example). That said, why is there not a huge uprising by the Muslim community of condemation of the Jihadist activity? It seems they are more concerned about “racial” discrimination than what they can do to prevent the ill feelings they are recieving. Where are the protests in the streets when fellow Muslims see their brothers in faith rioting, shooting nuns, etc. etc. in the brutal acts that are making the headlines? Granted, there are “Zionist” bombings, but nothing, nowhere near, not even close to the number of those done in the name of Alah, and I know the media cannot distort the numbers that much.
Bilal – one can read in your writings that you are motivated by peace. I get that. But like so many other Muslims, you seem to turn your back on what is a bad thing for your faith. If Muslims would agressively yet peacefully and openly condem these acts (and believe me, you have the billiions of followers to make an impact), then your religion of peace might just become more believeable to us Infidels.
August 18, 2008 at 12:29 am |
Ike, what is my Zionist agenda? To point out that it is the Quran itself that is holding back Muslims? I write that if Muslims would reform Islam, then they would be able to achieve greatness equal to any other peoples on this planet. How is that bashing Muslims? I give suggestions on how Muslims can better their lives and you call me a sadist.
Christians were uncivilized once but they reformed their religion. Jews were uncivilized once but they learned to ignore the barbarities in the Old Testament. You will not see anyone stoned to death in Israel for not observing the Sabbath. Modern Israel has chosen to abolish the death penalty (except for genocide) for petty crimes and blasphemies. Modern Islamic nations still carry out Shariah laws from the 7th century.
I urge Muslims to do what Jews and Christians have done: become civilized. That is not Muslim-bashing. When I tell my son to follow in the footsteps of successful people I am not bashing my son. When good advice is given, an educated person does not lash out with epithets.
December 21, 2008 at 4:02 am |
Dear BZ,
Its a nice effort by you to post the muslim nobel laureates’ little info. Please make one correction: Prof. Abdus Salam was not a muslim but Qadyani. I have no ill feeling as it is his choice, but please write it down as Pakstani Qadyani.
While you admire the nobel laureates for their work, one should not forget about the great controversies reflecting a possible bias in the mindset of awarding agency. Examples are: Yasser Arafat and Arial Sharon for Peace! Author writing about Armenian tragedy but none for writing down muslim tragedy across the world! One should show both sides of the coins, please.
Please tell us something about your work with a nobel laureate in chemistry.
Thanks.
December 28, 2008 at 8:03 am |
I hope that one day I will win a Nobel Prize. I am a scientist, and working in Germany for many years in medical research of epilepsy, dystonia, Alzheimer disease, and Neiman-Pick Disease type C. Yea, out of 1.5 billions muslisms only few Nobel Prize Winners. I am a Jew, and how many Nobel Prize won by Jews?
At least 178 Jews and persons of half-Jewish ancestry have been awarded the Nobel Prize,1 accounting for 23% of all individual recipients worldwide between 1901 and 2008, and constituting 37% of all US recipients2 during the same period. In the scientific research fields of Chemistry, Economics, Medicine, and Physics, the corresponding world and US percentages are 27% and 40%, respectively. (Jews currently make up approximately 0.25% of the world’s population and 2% of the US population.)
Chemistry (30 prize winners, 20% of world total, 28% of US total)
Economics (26 prize winners, 42% of world total, 56% of US total)
Literature (13 prize winners, 12% of world total, 27% of US total)
Peace (9 prize winners, 9% of world total, 10% of US total)
Physics (47 prize winners, 26% of world total, 37% of US total)
Physiology or Medicine (53 prize winners, 28% of world total, 41% of US total)
December 28, 2008 at 8:17 am |
http://www.jinfo.org/Nobel_Prizes.html
this is the information about the jews who won a nobel prize.
December 30, 2008 at 8:19 am |
Hmmm…it’s quite a disparity…13 million Jews awarded so many Nobel prizes. 100 times as many Muslims (1.3 billion) awarded so few. Seems clear to me that 1 group is trying to make the world a better place…the other is trying to tear it apart. Muslims should stop complaining…and start working.
December 30, 2008 at 4:19 pm |
very true knotty..it is interesting to note that the particular group is also terrorizing the world by killing people in the Palestine despite their small (almost insignificant) percentage. Furthermore, if you trace back their history, they have also murdered their own leaders and prophets beside going against God for many times..it is not a surprise to me though after reading some of the comments made by them which clearly shows their arrogance (quote from bernie “we can slam our president and openly blasphamize our God”). wow ;p~
January 25, 2009 at 3:27 pm |
Yeah, this is very helpful. Can’t believe only 3 Muslims ever won that Nobel.
February 20, 2009 at 12:54 am |
Well I am amazed that you are so concerned about muslims recieving Nobel prizes. Well get the facts straight, First of all these nobel prize is western origin and you expect the western people especially jews/christians to do the justice? You know it very well that bulk of west doesn’t even high light the great Islamic scholars, scientists etc today and if they do have to take there names they call them through their latin names like Avecinia, Avverocee, etc So I totally reject this thought that we should look for west and expect awards from them. Nah.. verily these people are not amongst us and May Allah guide them.
March 1, 2009 at 4:16 pm |
Please read this article:
http://www.aina.org/news/20090228185011.htm
And let me know what you think.
March 14, 2009 at 8:54 am |
I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100%, but that’s just my IMHO, which could be wrong.
p.s. You have a very good template for your blog. Where did you find it?