Countries that are predominantly Muslim are characterised by low spending on science, small scientific communities, and poor-quality universities. Political leaders in such nations often fail to appreciate the role of scientific research for their countries' development.

In this article in Nature, Pakistan's former science minister Atta-ur-Rahman, and Anwar Nasim, science advisor to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) call for a scientific renaissance in the Islamic world. This, they say, is crucial for ensuring a more prosperous and peaceful future.

The authors highlight advances being made in countries such as Iran, Pakistan and Turkey. In the wider Islamic world, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and the OIC's Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation are taking steps to promote science.

Link to full article in Nature

Reference: Nature 432, 273 (2004)