Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Forgotten scientist

The article "The scientist Pakistan chose to forget" (Nov. 30) shows how much the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has moved away from Islam. Tolerance of religious minorities is a cardinal Islamic principle. Abdus Salam ranks among great scientists such as Islamic philosopher and physician author Avicena and alchemist Jabber ibn Hayyan. Had Allama Iqbal, the great poet-philosopher whom Pakistanis call Muffakir-e-Pakistan (The thinker of Pakistan), been alive today he would have repeated his famous couplet and asked the Pakistanis: "You are Syed, Mirza and Afghan; But tell me if you are Musalman!" (Yun Tho Syed bhi ho, Mirza bhi ho, Afghan bhi ho. Tum sabhi kuch ho, batao kya Musalman bhi ho).

M. Riaz Hasan,
Hyderabad

That people like Abdus Salam remain unrecognised in their homeland, notwithstanding President Pervez Musharraf's vow to make Pakistan a land of `enlightened moderates,' is unfortunate. If the President means what he says, he should accord due honour to Salam and many others like him who are away from their homeland and are eagerly waiting to be called back.

Tanvir Ahmad,
Aligarh

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