Pakistan’s only Nobel Laureate goes unremembered
Pakistan’s only Nobel Laureate Dr Abdus Salam’s 15th death anniversary on Monday was not commemorated in the country.
The Physics genius was born in a small town Jhang on January 29, 1926, a little over 85 years ago.
In 1979, Salam shared the Nobel Prize with Steven Weinberg and Sheldon Glashow for the historic unification of the weak nuclear force with the electromagnetic force.
He faced discrimination in Pakistan because he belonged to the Ahmadiyya community, to the extent that the word ‘Muslim’ was erased from his tombstone on court orders. Pakistan did not give its only Nobel laureate a state funeral and the media too abstained from it.
He researched in elementary particle physics for more than 40 years and in 1950, he received the Smith’s Prize from Cambridge University for the most outstanding pre-doctoral contribution to Physics. He also obtained a PhD in theoretical physics at Cambridge. His thesis, published in 1951, contained fundamental work in quantum electrodynamics.
Dr Salam returned to Pakistan in 1951 for teaching mathematics at Government College Lahore. In 1954, Salam left his native country for a lectureship at Cambridge University, and since then visited Pakistan as adviser on science policy.
He founded the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Italy in 1964.The aim of the institute has been to provide expertise to scientists in the developing world. He used his share of the Nobel Prize entirely for scientists from developing countries and did not spend a penny of it on himself or his family. The money he received from the Atoms for Peace Medal was spent on setting up a fund for young Pakistani physicists to visit the ICTP.
United Nations assignments
He was also the Scientific Secretary Geneva Conferences on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy (1955 and 1958), Elected Member of the Board of Governors, TAEA, Vienna (1962-63), Member, UN Advisory Committee on Science and Technology (1964-75), Elected Chairman UN Advisory Committee on Science and Technology (1971-1972), Member UN Panel and Foundation Committee for the UN University (1970-73), Member UN University Advisory Committee (1981-83), Member Council University of Peace (Costa Rica) (1981-86) and Elected Chairman Unesco Advisory Panel on Science, Technology and Society (1988).
In Pakistan, he was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (1959), Pride of Performance Award (1959) and the Order of Nishan-e-Imtiaz (1979).
He died on November 21, 1996 at the age of 70 in Oxford after a long illness.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2011.
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@Zeeshan: he founded in italy because he was not allowed or given budget for paksitan.. and was being labelled wajib-ul-qatl
@Arif Khan Like the old saying goes " Bandar kya jane adrak ka swaad"
He was a hero in the nation ruled by corrupt and ignorant.
Absolutely deplorable. Abdus Salam is a source of pride for our country. Our ignorance is mind numbing especially for sb like me who thinks Physics is the best way to understand God and the Quran. And recently I was amazed to see that to renew my passport I had to testify that ahmedis are not muslims I mean firstly how is that related to MY faith???? And nowhere did the application say that to be a muslim means I acknowledge the oneness of God ... I mean that's why we are where we are our sense of right and wrong is warped to the extent where I can no longer defend my country on the basis of facts ... I still keep trying hoping one day I can truly make a change to it for the better ... without science society crumbles and we better realize that ASAP or its going to lap dances and stone age threats for us in the political arena ad infinitum.
We proud on Dr,Salam..A wise person cannot forge all about achievements for country Salam:-- "MR.DR.ABDUL SALAM"
Proud of abdus salam not as a Pakistani but as someone who also traces roots to jhang. Heard a lot about him while growing as he was a close friend and schoolmate of my uncle during the pre-partition days in Jhang.
Mr ASM told about the other heroes who gave their lives for Pakistan, I want to tell him that every person who served for pakistan should be aknowldged and give him honour irrespective of his colour,sect or religion. I salute all those who served Pakistan with pen or with gun.
Who cares, its just this that the highlighted Dr. has won sympathies by this article and somehow the benefit of being from the minority. What about the unsung heroes and sons of Pakistan who have given their lives for this country.. isn't their service com-memorable?
Actually we forget all our Heroes, As our country situation people do not have much time to remember any one because of condition of Economic, Every person has busy schedule and tension.
U all knows why and what i am trying to say may god bless u men.
If he believed in Ahmadiyah, that is one fact, and that is definitely not Islaam. Period. But him winning the prize, doing service to science and still accepting his Pakistani heritage, that is another fact. Why should the two be mixed! He won't get the media time, just because he was not a Muslim! that is low. Our prophet would never have done something like this, sahaabah and the generations after that would not do anything as low as this. This is totally surprising! Imagine what his family would feel like!
@Zeeshan: What Dr. SALAAM did for Pakistani people? This is a very good question. The list of what he did for Pakistan is long. Some of the respondents have already listed Dr. Salam's contributions in Pakistan. Sure, he established institutions in Italy too. For us, we need to measure ourselves in the light these questions: 1. What are people of Pakistan capable of receiving?
What are the people of Pakistan ready to receive?Also, we need to remind ourselves of the obstacles Dr. SAHEB had in his way.
The most honoured article By ET and apart from few people like @Ali Tanoli, the most rational comment by our Compatriots , Happy to see such attitude of recognition for Dr Salam and identifying the issues of Pakistan , Love you All
@gp65: Aalu anday -------a song by brave young men and i love their punjabi
We should continue these type of effort to reduce the Hatred and discrimination from the society. whatever the religion he has but he did a great work for raising the name of Pakistan. it will also encourage the other young students to do something for their country. Religion of any child, should not be hurdel for geting good education. we should forget the past and now we should try to genrate good citizens, only Pakistani..............
thankyou e tribune and thanks to all those who value people like Dr. Abdus Salam and find no fear in expressing their views against the right; and against all those things that are unfavoured by most.
@Ali Tanoli: ungrateful people make an ungrateful nation..... and we still sit and wonder why this country is on the verge of being completely doomed!!!
@Ali Tanoli:
I was wrong in thinking that it is impossible to find the follower of ABUJAHIL in this educated and civilized world,now i can sadly say people like you Mr.Ali still present and still find reason to hate people like Dr.Salam....but I dont hate your heroes like MAUDOODI, ZIA UL HAQ, MULLA FAZLOO, and many others becaz i believe on " Love for All Hatred for None "
Accomplishments aren't rewarded in the land of the pure, rather keeping others PURE of accomplishments through backstabbing and improper means is what makes our blood pump. So why should we remember someone who should for all intents and purposes have an entire course on his life and accomplishments in every public and private school in this country?
@Abba Jee
There is a difference between political figures and scientists. If Musharraf had been a Nobel Laureate, i am sure Indians would have glorified him in textbooks and made him a role model for the youth
Ahmadis were one more of Bhutto's casualties. Bhutto's other casualties: Industry, banks, education, not to mention East Pakistan "Tum udhar, ham idhar".... PLUS, a so called "legacy" that he was a great leader! Do great leaders do what he did? Ahmadi brothers and sisters, please comment.
These are the reasons which are making up to the destruction of Pakistan. But these illiterate extremists won't ever understand. Continue with this attitude and I assure you that in a few years we'll be telling our children ''There used to be a country named Pakistan''
Prof. Dr Muhammad Abdus Salam was a true Muslim and a Pakistani till the day he passed away peacefully. Many a times, I had the honour to meet his Respected father Mr Muhammad Hussain and brothers. I found them true Muslims and God fearing humans. Prof. Dr muhammad Abdus Salam, based his research according to Holy Quran. He always used to keep Quran with him. Till his last day he kept Pakistan passport. On the day of judgement these mullas and the Pakistan Government will be answerable to Allah. The curse of Allah has started because of anti Islam activities of mullas. I met him once at Karachi and many times offered prayers for his forgiveness at grave, which is next to his parents. May the soul of Dr Muhammad Abdus Salam rest in eternal peace in heavens. Ameen.
Stop cursing our nation for not remembring mr abdus salaam,I am glad at least the love of THE PROPHET (Peace be upon him) is still alive in our hearts.As muslims we should always put our beliefs first and then something else.Long Live Pakistani people!!!
i dont think that Pakistan will last another decade, God forbid, if it continues on this same path of hatred. the land will be there, but Quaid-e-Azam’s “Pakistan” wont. i am an Ahmadi MUSLIM, and God bless you for your courage to write about Dr. Abdus Salaam Sahib, and may Allah bless Pakistan. (Ameen). i am a 13 year old living in Chicago, America, and people think that all Muslims are terrorist because of the bomb blasts happening in Pakistan every day. Muslims here feel so ashamed somtimes. i hope a true leader becomes the PM of Pakistan and unites it together again.(Ameen)
dear all it is wrong that Dr. Sahib burial was not covered and see the coverage from
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com/?s=Dr+Salam+laid+to+rest
thanks alot 4 this artical
Abdul Qadeer can lived a lux life in Netherland and do a research and get all kind medals and Noebles and trophys but he was Muhajir of 1947 and have seen the bloodshed and want to stop that Holocaust to repeat again..
It is a great article but I felt very sad after reading it. I remember when Dr. Salam recieved Noble Prize in 1979. I was in 8th grade then. There was a Khatm-e-Nabuwat conference held in Chiniot, District Jhang Pakistan in the same year. Instead of praising the nation's hero there was so much filth said by the Ulama of Pakistan in there speeches about Salam. Allah show mercy to those nations or people who shows mercy among themselves. It is very sad and painful that our nation has adopted a road which goes no where but towards destruction. We as a nation has a fever of hatred because of someone's religion, race, language or tribe. I wish we become a great nation but can we be with all hatred described above?? None of the leaders in Pakistan has courage to speak bravely to stop these discriminations. We can just pray ..... I salute to all heroes of Pakistan including Dr. Abdus Salam. May Allah raise his soul to the highest station in paradise aameen.
Time will come when government of Pakistan will honour him. Virtually it’s in the interest of the nation to commemorate him. He is an asset for whole of the Ummah. May God bless him.
In case anyone wants to put their money where their mouth is, you can contribute to this documentary project on Dr. Abdus Salam. They are in dire need of funding.
http://www.kailoola.com/abdussalamdocufilm/donate.php
When we get some time after after hailing Mumtaz Qadir, kansi, afia Sid and the llikes we would think of honoring Dr. Salam.. Unfornutely he has no place in a country where people are morally paralysed not to comprehend the intricacies of great achievements and knowledge. And btw, he is honored and celebrated the west. It's not he who would seek any recognition from this country, but it's this country who needs people like him to be honored for things other than the know traits.
@Hamza: yes i agree with you. this is a great idea from you.
Congratulation to the writer for showing boldness. May Allah save our country from the extremism which was started after the death of our Great Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who himself has appointed Sir Chaudhry Muhammad Zafrullah Khan as Minister of Foreign Affairs, also burried in the same grave yard where our "Loyal Pakistanis" try to omit the history. Love for All, Hatred for None.
@Ethan Hunt:
@Jameel's comment was supposed to be taken in a sarcastic way.
@abid: Dear Abid, Bhuto was a politician and did that under immense pressure from Islamic parties in order to maintain his popularity and vote bank. We don't have a concept of conscious voting by members of parliament in Pakistan. If these matters are decided in Pakistan by secret conscious ballet in Parliament rather than voting on party line a lot of things would have been different.
@Ali Tanoli: Dear making an Atom Bomb and serving for the humanity is two entirely different things. The comparison you are doing here is absolutely wrong. Dr. Abdus Salam, give the theory of electroweak symmetry and receive his Noble Prize after receiving noble prize he established an International centre where the students from developing countries come for their research purposes. While, Dr. Qadeer theft the formula or method of making Atom Bomb and now it is being used to thread our enemy who is doing more and more work in the field of Science and technology. So the net result of this comment is that the Salam's centre is serving the humanity from a decade however, Qadeer's Bomb is used to give thread our enemy, where now students come from UK, US and Australia for higher studies.
@Raj usa, Pakistan is Muslim country u think its gonna get any thing from them u think so if u do then u living in fools paradise..bro.
@muskaratylog: But we must know first. Now we know. I have already told my children and they all went : " whah, really?". Now they also know. Thanks to Tribune. Pak Zindabad
@Jameel
So you are saying a Murderer should be remembered and not a Knowledgeable person? Any human and animal can kill any other human or animal it dosent take any effort give a gun to 5 year old and he will kill you but to study gain knowledge and prove something takes decades of ones life. Islam encourages the gain of knowledge (any constructive knowledge) so are you telling everybody to go kill instead of gain knowledge.......... what kind of human are you? i.e if you are a human....... If Pakistan can get rid of people with your school of thoughts and fill up more people with Abdul school of thought it would be a great change otherwise destruction all the way son.
I am seeing people have recommended your comments the most so so so sad.... Good Luck Pakistan..........
What a shame for the nation of around 200 millions peoples they dont regonized the living Hero and his achievment for this poor country against three times bigger enemy.
I think the article should have been focused on remembering our heroes who did great in different fields rather than connecting it with religious discrimination. Tribune has been posting at least an article per week on followers of MGAQ and this brings in the debate about whether they are muslims or not etc.
This topic is not a new one. So much debate has been done on this. As a scientist he should be mentioned. As per the constitution/islamic scholars he is a non-muslim and I have not seen any international remembrance by the MGAQ followers anywhere.
Stay well.
@Hope, Abdus salami was not doing what A Q khan did for pakistan and we realized after 2001 when world got changed forever and that a Verdict and its over now.
Dr. Abdus Salam is truly a inspirational figure in the field of Physics, his work is still exploited and referred by renowned scientists to-date. It's really doleful to see that his own mother nation has forgotten him just on the basis of religious discrimination. Whether he's a muslim or non-muslim doesn't make even a petty difference in what he had served for his country. Ergo his ingenious personality does prove him to be commendable in every sense.
I Salute u mr.Salam! and honour ur u with my deepest gratitude.
@Ali Tanoli: You are missing the point. Dr. Khan's contributions to making Pakistan nuclear are not questioned. I would agree, he did the good thing for Pakistan by making it a nuclear power. But his activities thereafter, took away more than the benefits that he gave Pakistan. This has cost Pakistan dearly and they lost out on the nuclear technology cooperation with developed countries. On the other hand, he did a great favor for India by these activities and that distinguished India from Pakistan and India became a favor of the world. Had he not taken part in these activities, either both India and Pakistan would have got the nuclear cooperation from USA and others or neither would have got it. The truth today is that Dr. Khan cannot leave Pakistan as he is wanted all over the world for the wrong reasons. This is what that distinguishes Dr. Khan and Dr. Salam. Dr. Khan cannot contribute to Pakistan's technological development any longer as no foreign technical expert would be willing to be associated with him. This is the reason he is out of any project even in an advisory capacity, be it building dams, or power projects, etc.
@faraz: By your logic, Dr Manmohan Singh and Pakistani and Parvez Musharraf is Indian
whenever i go to Rabwah i especially visit his grave.May Allah bless him.he was one of the greatest scientists ever.He has always been my inspiration.May Allah help more Pakistanis to get such honors for their country amin
It is said that a Nation is judged by the respect it pays its Heroes. Sadly while we don't need a barometer to judge how low we as a nation have sunk in the abyss of intolerance and ignorance, here is another example of the free media, as not a single channel devoted any time to his ground breaking and remarkable contribution to the world of knowledge.
I am not sure why, but strangely enough Dr. Salam also happen to love this unfortunate country, a land which gave him nothing but hate. May you rest in Peace Dr. Salam.
Well just in case any one is keeping the score its Hate 10: Love 0.
Game Hate!!
@ Raj usa I think A Q khan have bigger place in pakistan and in my heart because what he did for pakistan other wise who knows what would happend to us after all the madness going on in the world in the name of intrest and second thing i dont care what world says after all this world made india pakistan a colony not too long ago.
@SJ: Mr SJ, I think you didnt read my reply. Pakistani Parliament has announced them Non-Muslim 1974 after hearing all arguments by representers of Ahmadiyya Jamat and Lahori Group there and that is under the Bhutu's Govt.
zeeshan, saab, read history and take knowledge, before commenting,
I'm waiting for the day Pakistanis stop judging others on the basis of their religious background.
He was the great hero and pakistan is a great country but pakistanis are thankless peoples. We Remmber this great hero.
@Azhar: Very well said. I endorse every word of what you wrote. Jazakallah.
The most honoured article By ET and apart from few people like @Ali Tanoli, the most rational comment by our Compatriots , Happy to see such attitude of recognition for Dr Salam and identifying the issues of Pakistan , Love you All .
shame on us
What a great man with greater ethics. Our nation has not only forgotten him but they tend to forget everyone who wants to do good for the country and only remember people who can create a drama on Television just like our politicians. Although Dr. Salam is dead but his legacy is still alive and will live with us and haunt us until our nation get on the right track because these people are greater than life. I wish that may his dream come true and may our countrymen become aware of what they have lost and try not to loose a gem only on the basis of religion again.
@Shazia: That's exactly what discrimination means, calling them non-Muslims. When they believe that they are Muslims and recite the Kalma, who gave you the right to call them non-Muslims. Be it Muslim or not if someone wants to put Quranic verses in their homes or graves, why would you take them off?
Please let people practice their faith which ever way they want to practice and let them call themselves whatever they want to call.
@s.w.a: Well said ..
Dr. Abdus Salam, may Allah be pleased with him, also served Pakistan to the fullest of his abilities. Pakistan disowned him, but he still embraced his motherland with much love, gratitude, and concern. Dr. Salam supported more that 500 scientists to learn and train, free of cost, at the institute that he had set up in Italy, because Pakistanis felt too insecure by his presence
Dr. Salam chose to be buried in Pakistan when any country would have happily given him the few feet in the ground to rest in peace. That his head stone was desecrated by the imbecile judiciary show how petty this nation really is. Dr Salam was and shall stand like a giant against the pygmies who felt threatened by his mere presence in Pakistan.
Stop blaming Dr. Salam and the conspiracies of the west, and start to look with. Weep for you are a nation with small minds, cold hearts, and sterile souls. No wonder, only a carcass of Islam remains in this land of the pure!
Dr.Abdus Salam had a great contribution towards theoretical Physics but saying that he faced discrimination in Pakistan because he belonged to the Ahmadiyya community is absolutely wrong. He was a member of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, a member of the Scientific Commission of Pakistan and was Chief Scientific Adviser to the President from 1961 to 1974. Even the chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commision's Chairman Usmani (could not recall his full name) belonged to Ahmadiyya community :D
@Ali Tanoli:
Please mention where did you get that record that Shias & Ahmadis were maximum in bureaucracy during 1950? Also, you are comparing a Nobel Prize winner Muslim scientist with Raja Dahir ? May Allah guide you. Ameen
I posit that Pakistanis doesn't see Dr Salam as a Muslim, but showered state honors on him over a period of 20 years for his contributions and accomplishments. That's not disowning him. The government let scientists visit his institute etc.. I think it is harsh to say that Pakistan disowned native son. If he were a Muslim, sure there would have been more noise (look at Dr. AQ Khan).
Dr. Khorana and and Dr. Chandrasekhar are also native sons of what is Pakistan today for that matter. Like these guys, Dr. Salam doesn't have zeal of AQK that Establishment could use, so they don't like it. As simple as that.
Dr. Abdus Salam was not only the greatest scientist produced by Pakistan, but also a top particle Physicists of his time (anyone with knowledge of Particle Physics will verify this fact). His contribution to our understanding of unification of electromagnetic and weak force, by introducing the concept of spontaneous symmetry breaking was major milestone in Physics (known as Salam Weinberg model). He together with several others is responsible for developing what is called the Standard Model of Universe, the basic building block of everything we see in Universe (to date there has been no disagreements with the predictions of Standard Model). His contribution to the World of Physics are indeed such that we can be really proud of, but sadly we don't know his scientific worth, because we evaluate him on basis of his faith and not on his contribution to the World of science.
Noble prize has become more of a political gimmick today, given for political reasons and influencing the regional stakes.
@Zeeshan: Why don't you do a bit of research to find out why did (or could) Dr. Salam not open his institute in Pakistan!
@Zeeshan: Would you mind doing some research about Dr. Salam. If you have courage enough to find the truth and speak you would change your statement once you know what he did for Pakistan. Just one example, 500 Pakistani Physicists were trained in his institute without paying a single penny. Pakistan Govt has not been able to do so in last 60 years.
What a shame that our generation is unaware of this great man and his contributions just because he happened to be a Ahmadi! Like someone else mentioned here, I too feel ashmad to belong to a country where terrorists like Mumtaz Qadri are welcomed with rose petalswhile others like Dr.Abdus Salam are hounded and a witch hunt is done against them forcing them to leave the county just because they are not Muslim.
The point is not to celebrate some body's birthday but they actually dont give him the respect he deserved. He should at least present in our media as a role model to motivate our new generation. The exhibition of his contribution can also arrange on a different part of the country. Other countries do respect their scientists and all other people whi countribute in different field of educations and arrange many exhibitions.
The interesting thing about him is that he was the fvrt student of Eienstine!!
@Hamza: Well said, that is the way to go and change. At least thanks to our medias that they are doind the job of our hopeless educational system. Shame on PPP and Mian club they have never done anything in this direction.
@Nasir Mustafa: We must stop by saying. Say: some, a mojority or a minirity or give a %. Im not like Qadri your are not and millions of Pakistanis are not. Indon't how the %. but Many many are. Lets be more spefic, pls.
this is actually hilarious when people ask what did he do for Pakistan. these people need to know that there is a bigger universe out there. Chanting PAKISTAN ZINDABAD does not say much about anyone. do your research. read a little. He started research even before he got his BSc degree from GCU lahore. he got a prize in mathematics for that. he unified two fundamental forces. he was a man of great caliber. so STOP crying that he didnt do anything for pakistan. what he did was and is for the WHOLE MANKIND. if you are too dense to understand his scientific contributions dont go about saying stuff like "PAKISTAN K LIYE KIA KIYA?".... there is a BIGGER picture.. we are blind to it and sadly we feel ashamed of mentioning him..
@Ali Tanoli: You are comparing Dr. Abdus Salam with Dr. A.Q. Khan !!!!!!!!!
Dr. Salam is a Noble Laureate because of his original inventions / theories, unlike Dr. Khan. Dr. Khan was more an industrialist or businessman. Even his co-scientists at KRL say that Dr. Khan took the entire credit for the work that was done by his team. Yes, Dr. Khan has his contributions for making Pakistan a nuclear power. But Dr. Salam's contribution is for the entire world, not only for Pakistan and this is the reason the world respects him. It is the mindset that adores military power that leads to justification of terrorism. This in turn, has resulted in adoring people like Qadri and Kasab. Do you remember the tremendous welcome given to Masood Azar after he was released by India and who later went to form JeM. Had Pakistan won the Kargil war, Musharraf would have been Mohson e Pakistan and still adored and cherished. I agree that Dr. Khan has made great contributions for Pakistan but what one does not realize is that his subsequent activities (may be in collusion with some retired Army Generals), have caused Pakistan dearly. Initially, the world imposed strict sanctions on both India and Pakistan but later saw the difference and India by establishing the contrast with Pakistan got benefits of technology. Otherwise the world would have denied technology to both countries instead of offering it to India alone.
@MAHER ALI: Yes, Pakistan for all pakistanis. ALL. Let us ourself study and bring back our Quaid and Allama Iqbals and all the other contributors of this nation of ours.
I do not follow Ahmedia movement. But, I will never hesitate to admit that Pakistan never produced a greater human being, a greater intellectual, a globally respected founder of science institutions, a scientist close in intelligence and curiosity to Einstien, Gallio and Newton, but, DR. ABDUS SALAM. The pros of recognizing, appreciating, cherishing and putting Pakistani youth on the path set by DR. ABDUS SALAM are too high for petty Pakistanis... that is, us.... We don't even know how to handle that. The saddest fact is that DR. SALAAM seems to have vanished from not only our minds, but also from our hearts. Another sad fact is that Pakistanis never developed intellectually enough to even hold an intelligent conversation on the achievements of DR. SAHEB. The only comment our intellect allows us to make about DR. SAHEB is that "Oh, but he was a Qadiani." All writers, please realize what I said in my last sentence and give Pakistan a chance. HAHA. The only head of Pakistani state to value DR. SAHEB was Field Marshal Ayub Khan. Ayub was smart enough to have him by his side on trip to USA ... DR. SAHEB'S presence created a lot of respect from the Field Marshal, for Pakistani delegations and Pakistan. However, at present, it will take huge political courage to even mention the great name: AALI MUQAAM DR. ABDUS SALAAM REHMAT ALLAH ALEH, or, better, just lovingly call him Dr. Saheb and mean it from the heart. Government of Pakistan does not have a medal, recognition or honor that is big enough for him, but of course if it comes from the hearts of all Pakistanis. ALAS. For Ahmadi community, we all love DR. Saheb, .... just don't have the courage to speak up.
just to get complete knowledge about Salam's work for Science in Pakistan....just read the page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdus_Salam and read under heading "Government work"...you will be astounded to know how much he did in so short time and only had to leave Pakistan in 1974 when his faith was termed unacceptable through legislation and his sect was marginalized thereafter....
@Adnan: different way to criticize Dr. SALAM in a vieled and lukewarm way....!!! you are an artist.... belittling a noble laureate whose theories changed basics of physics ...just to enhance a lesser mortal in Dr. Qadeer...well nothing to take away from Qadeer sab...but all he did was to help create bombs ...while the one mentioned above worked only for peace and worked in foreign countries when his own country made him no more than football team incharge... and what to say about bhutto saheb....he was the one who started discrimination against Salam's sect in 1970s...its another story as to whether those very laws are according to Islamic teachings or not...I think that is to be left with religious scholars...but common sense asks as to how Salam could have come back on Bhutto's request...??? may be Salam would have said yes to come back to Pakistan only to get himself killed in light of the laws passed by bhutto ...either by angry mobs or through concocted litigation against this genius...??? do not twist history man.....
An overwhelming number of responses to this article indicate that notwithstanding the unwritten ban on publicizing the achievements of Dr Salam, there are still many sensible people in Pakistan who do understand the great contribution of this genius to the world of science. In fact, Pakistan has not only failed to give due recognition its own jewel, but has also lost the opportunity to promote world-class training and education in the sphere of science and technology. Does it not look ironic that the country gives more importance to the murderers and criminals than educationists and scientists?
The establishment cannot allow that.
Unfortunately if you remember him then, you might run the danger of remembering the other great non-muslim heroes of the subcontinent prior to partition. That would be dangerous because then the common man would be able to identify with the enemy (India).
Dr Salam was a brilliant physicist and one of the most outstanding scientists of his generation. Pakistan should be proud of his achievements and the fact that he was an Ahmadi is frankly irrelevant.
Although I am sure he was a patriotic Pakistani, when Bhutto sent his Foreign Minister, Aziz Ahmed to persuade him to return to Pakistan from his laboratories in Trieste, Italy, his response was 'What will I do in Pakistan?'. Despite assurances that the government would provide all the facilities, Salam never came to Pakistan. Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan did.
In my book Dr Khan is a true patriot and a hero, for what he did for Pakistan's nuclear capability. Noble Prize winner or not, Qadeer Khan is head and shoulders above Salam.This is not to belittle Salam's achievements- only to put them in proper perspective. Both gentlemen deserve recognition. Amazingly, both were mistreated by successive governments in Pakistan.
Wish your Soul Rebirth in the Highest State of Consciousness............in a civilised and educated society!
@Zeeshan: he wanted to make that institute in Pakistan but due to discrimination he was not allowed nor given funds... secondly what our country did to him...when he came back from Cambridge in 1950s , first job he was given was being made in charge of the college football team even through he knew nothing of the sport. ha ha .....Pakistan trying to use his scientific genius in such way....that is why he was forced to leave..... if u dont know history then do not twist it... http://www.apnaorg.com/articles/salam-1/
@syed baqar ahsan: MashAllah, you said it beautifully.
Those who love and hate any Pakistani due to his cast, sect and religion with in Pakistan,this country will never emerge as a nation ever,mark my words. unity,faith and discipline will remain lost.
Dear Shams,
Thanks for the article. We are an unfortunate nation that we could not appreciate the only nobel prize our country has won on the basis of religion. We are so much obsessed with the religion and the rigid interpretation of our Mulla that we've even ammended our constitition on the basis of the Mulla's rigid and intolerant understanding of Islam. Islam is a great religion and our Holy Prophet (SAW) never taught us such a violent and intolerant Islam. We can only pray that a day will come when we understand Islam on the basis of true teachings of Holy Prophet (SAW) instead of this intolerant Islam or South Asia that our Mulla's have taught us.
So the institutions in Pakistan took time to brood Over the word "Muslim" written on his grave and then have it erased. Pakistan is a country like no other country.
@Hamza
Bro, in unis all over the world, the faculties/schools are named after they receive endowment.
Dear Shamsul Islam, During his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize in Physics, Salam quoted the following verses from the Quran: Thou seest not, in the creation of the All-merciful any imperfection, Return thy gaze, seest thou any fissure. Then Return thy gaze, again and again. Thy gaze, Comes back to thee dazzled, aweary. He then said: This, in effect, is the faith of all physicists; the deeper we seek, the more is our wonder excited, the more is the dazzlement for our gaze.[96] He once wrote: "The Holy Quran enjoins us to reflect on the verities of Allah's created laws of nature; however, that our generation has been privileged to glimpse a part of His design is a bounty and a grace for which I render thanks with a humble heart."[28].
This is for the information of those who forgot all the facts and past. Thank you for raising your positive thoughts.
What we did with A Q khan the mohson e pakistan and with Abdus salam we are nation of uneducated pundits.
I think he went unremembered because people have forgotten who he is. I know this sounds obvious, but what I mean is, that last time I even heard of him on TV was when he died back in the 90s. After that no one really talked about him, neither in good terms OR bad terms. They seemed to simply forget he existed.
I went for a visit to KU and there a big portrait of his was adorn in the Physics labs, and one of the teachers said, if you study hard well send you to ICTP. But beyond that, in academic circles, and online blogs about people complaining about fundamentalism, one never hears about him at all.
It is like he never existed.
indeed , he is a hero. despite the treatment meted out to him in pakistan, he reatained his green passport and declined the requests made by the british govt. time and again to accept their nationality. he always took pride in being a pakistani. a humble and caring man, dr.salaam, u r dearly missed..RIP.
@Zeeshan
but what are his contributions for the people of Pakistan ? He founded institution in Italy
Ever heard of Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and the Theoretical Physics Group (TPG) in Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)?
Do find out about them. And also find out about the number of South Asian Physicists trained at Trieste.
ET Readers Heros are Raja Dhir, Abdus salam, Zafrullah khan chaudery, Yahya khan Gandhi Nehru, Bach khan Serhadi Gandhi, Salman taseer, G M syed. I have question why he left pakistan in 1950 that time most of pakistan Bearocracy were shia and Qadianis?????? and why only most of Nobel goes to peoples who work and lived in west onlY??????? just courius.
Holy crap. How many other countries celebrate the genius of their Noble Laureates? Do we have Dr. James Watson day?
OK Muslims were prejudice, but why Ahmedi's did not celebrated his birthday and Death Anniversary. OK if not possible in Pakistan then why not in any other country like India, UK Germany or USA. I wonder he was a physicist and even believed so many absurd things!
@Acorn Guts: Can you produce any 'evicdence' that Professor sahib offered for this and Pak Govt refused it??? Pls dont distort history.
@Zeeshan: What he did for Pakistan? The question here should be what was he allowed to do for Pakistan? He offered to build the research laboratory here in Pakistan but Zia thought of him to be a threat for Islam and thus Italy it was.
It's sad to see a legend treated this way. No wonder everybody these days wants to become a banker.
No state funeral? why? Do "non-muslims" have no right to state funerals in Pakistan? why "non muslims" have to go through this in Pakistan?
WHY?
A Nice Article and an eye opener for all of us. This Article needs to be published in every media channel in all languages.
@Zeeshan: if you are interested you can dig up the history and I think you'll find that Dr. Salam wanted to set-up ICTP in Pakistan all along, he offered it and the offer was declined by the Pakistani Government. Italy, however picked up on it later and showed eagerness for this institution and went as far as providing funds and support .. No need to blame Dr. Salam for our own incompetence.
God bless everyone!
How could anyone expect to remember Dr Abdus Salam when our younger generation don't even know who he is. In my years at school and university in Pakistan, there was never a mention of Dr Salam in books or classes. Whats even worse is that the educated section of our society does not even pay heed to his achievements. On the other hand, when I moved to the U.K. I heard of lectures at Imperial College London commemorating Salam. Its such a pity that our nation has ignored such a great man.
In my opinions, progressive universities such as LUMS, LSE and IBA should take the first step in honoring Dr Salam. They could start with naming the SSE as Dr Salam School of Engineering. Yes, we have immense talent in our country, but we don't have anyone we can look up to. If you read Dr Salam's pieces (e.g. Poor as a nation), you'll know how much love he had for his country. Its people like these, that we need more of to remove the ill effects of our past leaders.
He was a great scientist, and well-wisher for Pakistan.. My respects for him from the bottom of my heart..
@IndianMuslim: Yes IndianMuslim, that is the reason, it is because he was follower of AHMEDIYYA movement. That is the reason why this article was published. That is not the reason why Pakistanis are uncommemorating of him; they are obviously not. But that is the reason why you are reading this article.
Unless we get rid of Islamic Fundamentalism from our thought process we would not be able to own our people. I mean why should we abstain from acknowledging that here is a genius who is Pakistan (irrespective of the fact that he is a Muslim or not). God bless our country and I just hope that we can come out of this stinking thought that was installed over a decade by Zia
Men of Dr. Abdus Salam's caliber do not need thankless nations praising them. They carve their own destinies and histories. Those who deserve would acknowledge.
@faraz:
Great sir. You have brought another great son of the soil in our memory who earned Nobel Prize in medicine. Our government should announce some posthumous award for Dr. Gobind Khorana. I hope some general or bureaucrat will take notice of my suggestion.
Salam, What I wonder that what Abdul Salam did for Pakistan ? We are too good in exploiting the situation and giving someone the honour being 'religiously discriminated' but what are his contributions for the people of Pakistan ? He founded institution in Italy ^ ^ . He is ignored like we ignore all other heroes. No need to give it a religious reason. I hope my message will be tolerated as well.
The man who recited verses of Holy Quran in presence of thousands at his nobel prize ceremony dressed in traditional Pakistani attire is not even allowed a single verse of the Quran where he rests. The man who publicly attributed all his success and all his theories to the study of Quran is not allowed a single verse to adorn his grave.
Truly hurts when I see that carelessly smeared patch of paint on his gravestone that has marked his final resting place for years just because we are too narrow to see his true beliefs and what he had in his heart. May Allah has mercy on your soul uncle Salam, you were the greatest man I ever knew.
Alas...thats what we do to our heroes, we are very quick in forgetting them.
Is this coz he is a follower of AHMEDIYYA movement?
This is indeed shameful as compared to India where minority community citizens can become PM's and President's but In Pakistan they are ill-treated and even disowned by the state despite being world class.
@Jameel: "He’s no Mumtaz Qadri, why should anyone celebrate him?"
Yep, I too don't like Aalu Andey! For those who don't know what the reference to Aalu Andey is about , hear this.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TG-lYiuuiM
Thank you for article on Dr Abdus Salam. It is a pity that no academic or social organization arranged a commemarative event or seminar on the occasion of his death anniversary. God bless his soul, Dr. Salam is the true hero of Pakistan, the pride for millions.
Its a crying shame that we have ignored such a great man whose work has been celebrated globally, not in his home country. Ironically, he took great pride in being a Pakistani, served it with honor and dedication and to the best of my knowledge wished to be buried in his native Jhang.
Just as Martin Luther King wanted African-Americans to not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, it is time that we began honoring the venerable Dr. Abdus Salam by the content of his character and intellect, not by his religious persuasion.
well this article shows that he is not unremembered. Someone has missed him. And for those who have read this article and came to know about his departure date will remember him from the next time. Someone has to tick the clock and nothings wrong about it.
The shining stars are celebrated and honoured by the world with conscence. What will happen when every member of this 'nation' will pass and none will even notice even the 'nation' itself will perish - as history tells us consistently the destiny of the societies with similar traits ...
Did not know that. Only know of Jhang as notoriously being the birthplace of anti-minority terrorist hate groups such as SSP and L-e-J.
A perfect example of why religion is called a double-edged sword. But increasingly people are starting to believe that religion does very little good. There is no history of a nation built on religious underpinnings EVER becoming a vibrant and successful one. Religion eats away all sanity in the end - slowly but surely.
a sensible post by ET after a long time...otherwise most of the blogs and posts in ET nowadays are written from some other planet and as much disconnected from pakistan... but i salute your courage to publish this one and this will be a great service to the country and its people by remembering the achievments of dr.salam.... i cannot understand why he is targeted? afterall our books are full of newton and einstein and shakespeare who were not muslims so why this discrimination to dr.salam even if we consider him as a non.muslim? after all he did not receive his prize in islam but instead of his outstanding research in physics ....
Dr Salam was the real hero of science. We should respect him as a Pakistani scientist not on his religious beliefs. Such nations can't progress who forget their heros. Thanks ET and bundle of thanks for Shamsul Islam for writing on him.
we should respect it as a pakistani beside his religion ,,,,,,his contribution is apprecitated by english not by our people.
Any part of history of Historical or British India can be claimed by any of the nation be it Bangladesh, Pakistan or India. If we can claim our leaders who died before Partition than it would be sad if we cannot share moment of happiness that made us proud then,
Never regret something that once made you smile....coz at that point of time "that" was exactly what you "wanted"!!
There were a lot of achievements that we can share through our common history.
Dr Salam was a Pakistani and we are are proud of him. Unfortunately we are a nation of religious fanatics and bigots. There is no Islam in our character and dealings but we are ready to kill people in the name of Islam and the holy Prophet. It is resposibility of those who are liberal in their thinking to strive to educate this wretched nation. There are people, and their number is increasing day in day out, who think positively and they respect all religions. They know the parameters and ethics of difference of opinion. They are true belivers who honour the sanctity of human life and the freedom of choice.@PostMan: I'll make sure I do the same with my kids.
@Jameel Sad but true.
Thank you Shamsul Islam for writing this and thanks to ET for publishing it. Wonder if any of the Urdu media did the same thing. That's where the change is needed.
It’s a shame that this brilliant son of the soil was disowned by his own people.
People don’t even know the names of the great minds produced by this unfortunate land. Last week Nobel Laureate Dr. Gobind Khorana passed away. He earned a Nobel Prize in medicine for research on RNA. He was born in Kabirwala, Distrinct Khanewal in 1922.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/us/h-gobind-khorana-1968-nobel-winner-for-rna-research-dies.html?_r=1
Similarly the famous astrophysicist and Nobel Laureate Dr. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar was born in Lahore. I feel ashamed that I belong to the country where murderers like Mumtaz Qadri enjoy more respect than these giants.
Is Pakistan only for Muslims ???? And if is only for MUSLIMS than its going on great path.... No matter which cast he belongs, which religion he belongs, but he was PAKISTANI and he made a great contribution in the Science ...
Rest assured that Salam will be remembered forever in the world of Physics. His contribution along with Weinberg and Glashow is the most important contribution after Einstein in 20th Century Physics. I was his postdoc in 1965 at Imperial Collage, and remember him fondly. He mentored great many celebrated physicists, among them many from India and Pakistan.
He is dead now, either we remember him or not will not change his fate. It will be only unjust with our next generations to stay ignorant from his outstanding achievements. Thousands of potential and bright stars will not only miss a role model but a motivational entity with similar and modest background. Anyway, only living nations remember their heroes, we cannot even differentiate real heroes and zeros. What a national tragedy…..
@sidra khan:
The religious extremists can't even tolerate liberal people in pakistan,how can one expect those savages to treat as human beings the atheists or gay people? They declare anyone they don't agree with as kaafir at the drop of a hat,so there really can be no expectation of civilised behaviour from the religious fanatics.
Because of the reason we don't take glory in acknowledging them, our land has stopped producing such precious gems.
Because of the reason we don't take pride in owning them, our land has stopped producing such gems.
Thank you tribune for remebering Dr Salam. He was undoubtedly the pride of Pakistan. My head hangs in shame thinking about the treatment meted out to him. We are a thankless nation. I mentioned that to a acquanience and his reply was "But he was a Qadiani...!!!"
.. but I will make sure you are not un-remembered Dr. Salam. My children will get to know about you! Inshallah! You will not be remembered by your faith but what you did for Pakistan, I will ensure that.
My heart weeps whenever I read about Dr. Salam. You are the shining star from whose brightness generations of Pakistani children will be kept away. Unfortunate. What an ungrateful nation we are. No one will mourn us even - remember this.
Anyone not fallin within the definition of a 'good' Muslim has no future in our society.Be it atheists,agnostics,ahmadis,christians,hindus,gays or lesbians,if you don't come under a rigidly defination of a 'good muslim' your life is made miserable by the religious fanatics. And the sad thing is that they are unapologetic in their homophobia,misogyny and bigotry,infact they take greta pride in their hate and intolerance.To the religious bigots persecuting atheists,ahmadis and gays is something that will gain them a ticket to paradise,so they make all out efforts to be as horrific in their treatment of these groups as they can be.
He's no Mumtaz Qadri, why should anyone celebrate him?
Honestly in todays' Pakistan we have totally ignored people who could have served role models for our youth.. I guess controversial personalities are more influential .. Wish one day our nation realizes the facts beyond boundaries of religions and social division!!