Science and Islam

In this talk I shall first assess - within the limits of available data - the current state of the hard sciences (such as physics and mathematics) in Muslim countries. Although there is considerable variation across 48 Muslim countries, one concludes that the situation is unsatisfactory. Possible causes will be explored, including the priorities and funding practices of national governments. Prevalent Muslim attitudes towards science, technology, and modernity will be discussed. Muslim successes in science in earlier centuries are well known, and a comprehensive picture requires putting these into relation with the current cultural and political resistance to change. Bottlenecks to scientific growth will be identified. I shall then turn towards thoughtful contemporary voices among Muslims that recognize the depth of the current crisis, who offer plausible remedies for bringing science back into Islam, and who have captured at least some public attention. The possible role of the EU in helping science grow in Muslim countries will be explored.