In
many countries with large Muslim populations
the pendulum of power is swinging
away from secular (but mostly undemocratic)
government back to where it was for
many centuries: to Islamist regimes,
and Islamic law. What does this mean
for Muslim scientists and science?
For a very long time, Muslim states
have scored badly on measures of science
and technology. Will things be any
better or worse under the new Islamist
governments? Visit
the newsblog to read and post
comments on Islam and science.
NEWS
FEATURE An
Islamist revolution Islamist
political parties are taking over from secular
ones across the Muslim world. What does this
mean for science at home and scientific cooperation
with the West?What does this mean for science
at home and scientific cooperation with the
West? Ehsan Masood investigates. 2 November 2006 Arabic Translation (pdf)
Q
& A The
reformer Mostafa
Moin is a paediatrician and medical researcher
who has served as Iran's minister for higher
education and for science. He was a reformist
candidate in Iran's presidential election
last year, which was won by religious conservative
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. 2
November 2006 Arabic Translation (pdf)
NEWS
FEATURE The
data gap Statistics
on scientific investment and performance are
lacking across the Muslim world. Declan Butler
analyses the best of what is available. 2 November 2006 Arabic Translation (pdf)
NEWS
FEATURE Oil
rich, science poor The
wealthy Arab states offer scant support for
science and technology. Jim Giles finds out
whether this indifference to research is likely
to change. 2
November 2006 Arabic Translation (pdf)
PODCAST Nature
podcast - 2 November 2006 In this week's
issue of the Nature Podcast, Sarah Tomlin
talks to Ehsan Masood, author of a book on
Islamic Science, about the current status
and the future of science in the Muslim world.
2 November
2006
OPINION
EDITORIAL Science
and the Islamists Muslim
countries stand to gain much from science
but will fail to do so if fundamentalists
repress openness. Chronic neglect by Arab
leaders doesn't help either. 2 November 2006 Arabic Translation (pdf)
COMMENTARY Steps
towards reform Building
a knowledge-based society in today's Arab
world depends on overcoming primarily political
obstacles to progress. Nader Fergany analyses
the reforms required for an Arab renaissance. 2 November 2006 Arabic Translation (pdf)
COMMENTARY Where
are the new patrons of science? Muslim
nations must take a big leap forward in developing
science and technology to catch up with the
rest of the world, argues Herwig Schopper,
or they risk falling behind in the global
economy. 2 November 2006 Arabic Translation (pdf)
WHAT
DO YOU THINK? Are you a native
Muslim scientist, or part of the Muslim diaspora?
What do you think needs to be done to improve
the situation for scientists in the Islamic
world? Let us know on our newsblog. 2 November 2006
