Dear Editor, Assalaamu alaikum

FOLLOWING ON from your past issues highlighting the scietific contribution of Islam. I recently read an article in a science journal saying that boosting scientific progress in Muslim countries will not be easy, in part because of the strong influence of religion.

Another article published in the same journal also said "Science cannot prosper under the religious ... authoritarianism that runs deep in Pakistan". What surprised me was the fact that both these articles were written by Muslim academics. Well, I want to dispute their findings.

I contend that it is not Islam, but Muslim leaders and policymakers who are to blame for the lack of scientific progress in the Islamic world. Indeed, the strong influence of Islam in such countries should be a driving force behind scientific and technological advances, not an obstacle.

The writers criticised the Pakistani mullahs in their explanation for the 2005 earthquake, saying instead that it was God's punishment for 'sinful' behaviour. I think this example has either been taken out of context or indicates the need for better teaching of Islam.

One eighth (that is, 750 verses) of the Quran exhorts believers to study nature, to reflect, and to make the best use of reason in their search for the ultimate truth. Today's Islamic world is, however, a scientific desert. The writers rightly pointed out that Pakistan's failure has been in civilian science. Its scientists have, however, had success developing defence technologies, such as nuclear missiles and other arms. This indicates, again, that scientific prowess is down to political will, not religion.

Reviving science and learning in the Muslim world will require more than increased funding and a more relaxed approach to writing and publishing. Muslim nations must make developing science and technology a central policy, and encourage learning in every field of knowledge, just as it was in the golden era of Arabic-Islamic civilisation.

The teachings of Islam emphasise "the acquiring of knowledge as bounden duties of each Muslim from the cradle to the grave" and that "the quest for knowledge and science is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman". Saying that Islam is a barrier to science progress is wrong. In fact, it is the other way round. Instead, Muslims need a better understanding of their religion and to implement its guidelines to develop knowledge-based economies in the Islamic world. Keep up the good work

Dr Wahid Akmal (Oxford)