ISLAM AND SCIENCE

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.

ARABIC TRANSLATION
An introduction and note from the sponsor (pdf)

THE ISLAMIC WORLD

Launch the interactive world map

Arabic Translation (pdf)

ANALYSIS


	INTRODUCTION Ambition & Neglect: Science in the Muslim World 2 November 2006

	INTERACTIVE TIMELINE Islamic era science Printer friendly timeline 2 November 2006

	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