Family of the Heart Seminar - September 10, 2004
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Dr. Abdus Salam - Champion of Science in the Third World |
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By Zakaria Virk, Kingston, ON
Distinguished guests, Ladies
and Gentlemen:
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First of all I would like to thank the organizers of this event who
have taken the initiative to celebrate the life of a great man, a great
humanist, a world-renowned scientist, known as Dr Abdus Salam. Dr Sohail and
Pervaiz Salahuddin thank you both. You have taken a very courageous step,
I have divided my presentation into four parts:
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In the first part, as an introduction to Dr Salam, I am going to present to you a review on my book, written by Mr. Khalid Hassan, one time press secretary of Mr. Bhutto, and press attaché at the High Commission of Pakistan in Canada, in the early 1970’s.
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In the second part, I am going to present to you some interesting anecdotes from the eventful life Dr Abdus Salam.
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In the third part, I am going to list his contributions to the promotion of science & technology in the developing world.
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In the fourth part, I will read to you some of his golden sayings.
Part I
Review
on the Book ‘Musalmano ka Newton’
Khalid
Hassan, The Friday Times, Lahore, October 24, 2003
www.khalidhassan.net
The
story is apocryphal but deserves to be told one more time. Sometime in the 1960s
at a ladies' soirée all wedded to gentlemen of the long-departed Civil Service
of Pakistan - someone mentioned Dr Abdus Salam and how brilliant he was, at
which Attiya Inayatullah is said to have asked, "If he is that brilliant,
why is he not a CSP?" Needless to say, even Dr Salam with all his
mathematics and higher physics could not have answered that one.
Dr
Salam was a man of astonishing humility. In Vienna, which he used to visit off
and on, I once ran into him as he was walking across the rotunda of the Vienna
International Centre where all the UN agencies are housed. We shook hands and
chatted for a few minutes in Punjabi, which he spoke with that delicious Seraiki
dialect that makes the language sound exceedingly sweet. After he had gone his
way, a friend of mine who was with me asked who that man was. “Dr Abdus
Salam,” I replied, “the Nobel Prize laureate”. “But he was so utterly
simple, I would never have guessed,” my friend said. Maybe that was another
reason he did not end up as a CSP.
I had briefly met Dr Salam at Multan at that famous meeting of scientists, which Zulfikar Ali Bhutto called. I next met him in Canada in
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1974 when I was serving at the Pakistan embassy. This was after the National Assembly decision declaring the Ahmedis non-Muslim. I went to receive him at the Ottawa airport. At first, I did not recognize him because he had a beard. “You have grown a beard,” I said. “Yes, the day I was declared a non-Muslim, I decided to follow ‘ sunnat-e-Rasool (pbuh)’ and grow a beard,” he replied. He had come to confer with the Canadian government on matters relating to the International Centre for Theoretical Physics he had almost single-handedly established at Trieste, Italy. He had wanted it to be set up in Lahore and would have done so had the Pakistan government showed serious interest.
I
asked him what his engagements were and when I found that one of his afternoons
was free, I suggested that the embassy chauffeur Mirza Abdul Rehman show him
around because some of the city’s suburbs were very beautiful. He said that
would be very nice. On his return to Trieste, he wrote me a letter in which he
asked me to thank Mirza Abdul Rehman who had been so kind as to have driven him
around Ottawa. That was the sort of man he was. How many Pakistanis would do
that? Most of us treat those who serve, be they cooks or drivers, as simply
having no existence as human beings. But to Dr Salam such things mattered.
He
also told me a Bhutto story. He had resigned as Chief Scientific Adviser to the
Government of Pakistan after the National Assembly decision. When ZAB pressed
him in a meeting to take it back, assuring him that it was “all politics”
and he would change it at an appropriate time, Salam said to him, “Write that
down for me on a plain piece of paper, from Zulfi to Salam, and it will always
remain a secret between the two of us. I will then take back my resignation.”
Bhutto thought for a moment, Salam told me, and replied, “That
I cannot do; you see I am a politician.”
Dr Salam died of a debilitating disease in 1996. Since then there have been many books written about him, to which has now been added an Urdu compendium of tributes and reminiscences of this remarkable man by Canada-based Muhammad Zakariya Virk in a book called Dr Abdus Salam: Musalmanoon ka Newton. It is truly a labour of love (though it could have been better printed and edited) and will bring back to those who read it both the man and the scientist.
Dr Salam loved Pakistan and though he could have become the citizen of any country he chose, he never gave up his citizenship and all his life he travelled on that green passport which has needed a visa for every country for years now. In a letter Salam sent to an admirer from Karachi some months before he died, he wrote: “Never doubt your abilities to produce the best in the world but remember the best will not come without hard work. As Muslims we have a great heritage to inspire us and we should never forget that great and learned Muslim scholars a few centuries ago led the world in so many fields.”
He
donated the entire Nobel Prize money in scholarships for students, many of them
in his beloved Jhang. He wanted to be buried in Pakistan and willed that if he
could for some reason be taken to Pakistan for burial, his tombstone should
read, “It was his wish to be buried at the feet of his mother.”
He found no conflict between Islam and science, and once said that of the three Abrahamic religions, Islam was alone in devoting one-eighth of its holy book to urge a study of nature and to call on people to reflect. When he came to Pakistan after his Nobel Prize, he met Zia-ul-Haq and after he had explained to him what he understood about the finality of Prophethood, the General recited the kalima, asked Salam to recite it also and said, “You are a better Muslim than I am.”
When
Salam was leaving Cambridge after his double tripos, he asked his professor for
a testimonial but was told, “You should give me a testimonial that I taught
you.” In 1986 many countries wanted Salam as UNESCO director-general but the
Zia regime nominated Sahibzada Yaqub Khan instead. Khan was roundly defeated despite the Pakistani plea on his behalf that
France was saved by a general and another general would save UNESCO.
When
he died the Times of London
wrote, “The death of Abdus Salam
leaves the world of theoretical physics without one of its most distinguished
and respected members. In addition to his brilliant intellectual gifts, Salam
was a man of remarkable vision and outstanding energy who played a major role in
developing science throughout the world. He was deeply concerned about the
proliferation of nuclear weapons and served on many high-level committees
involved in the promotion of international peace and collaboration and in
the development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy.”
And how has Pakistan remembered this great son
of hers? Exactly as it has remembered another of her sons, Saadat Hasan Manto.
Nothing is named after them, no road, no town, no city nothing. But that should
not matter because what Salam and Manto accomplished, each in his separate
domain, has placed them in the company of immortals. What more can a man ask
Part II
Some
facts about Dr Abdus Salam
Did you know:
1.
Dr Abdus Salam was the first Pakistani Muslim to receive Nobel Prize.
2.
Dr Abdus Salam Prize
for Young Pakistani Scientists is given every year in Pakistan.
3. The International Centre for Theoretical Physics he found in 1964 is now
4.
There is a Dr Abdus Salam Science Institute in the Republic of Benin.
5.
There is a street named after him in (Route Abdus Salam), Bern,
Switzerland.
6.
There is a street named after him (Abdus Salam Street), in Maple, On.
7.
Abdus Salam Medal is
given annually by Third World Academy of Sciences.
8.
Pakistan government issued a Rs 2.00 stamp on Nov 21, 1998
9. Republic of Benin issued a postal stamp in November 2001.
10. In Carl Sagan’s science fiction novel Contact, chapter 18, there is a reference to Eda, the great physicist, which in fact is a reference to Abdus Salam.
Anecdotes
The year is 1956; Professor Blackett of Imperial College London was looking for someone to fill the position of chairperson in the department of theoretical Physics. One of the selected candidates had to appear before Professor Temple for a formal interview who was very fond of Dr Eddington’s book on astronomy.
During the job interview Prof. Temple asked the candidate who did
not have a favorable opinion of the said book, what did he think of
Eddington’s book? The candidate replied : I
had not read the book with the detachment
of a neutral mind.
Prof Temple was very impressed with the reply, and remarked:
Another anecdote:
When Prof Salam was studying in Princeton, New Jersey, one day he
met Prof Einstein casually on the campus of Institute for Advanced Study.
Einstein asked him what kind of research are you doing? Salam replied, I am
working on renormalization theory. Einstein said I am not interested in that.
After a few moments Einstein asked have you studied my Relativity theory ? Salam
replied, I am not interested in that.
Another anecdote:
Once President Ayub was on a visit to UK. Bhutto was traveling with him, along with Mr. A.T. M. Mustafa, minister of education. Prof Salam was scheduled to Bertrand Russell. Mr. Mustafa decided to visit Russel along with Salam. Mr. Mustafa had a heated discussion with Bertrand Russell on the existence of God. After a while Mr. don’t know why people think that they can convince in half an hour a 96 years old man the existence of God. Both Russell and Salam held divergent views, but they had
Another anecdote:
Air Marshal Zafar Chaudhry narrated the following incident. Once Dr Salam was on his way to Dehli for a conference. He made a stop over at Lahore airport, where Zafar Chaudhry received him. Zafar noticed that during the summer months Dr Salam was wearing a heavy winter coat on top of his exquisite suit. Zafar joking remarked, Dr Sahib is it snowing in Dehli that you wearing this heavy-duty winter coat? With his characteristic loud laugh, Dr Salam replied the reason I am wearing this is that this coat has been with me for a long time, I don’t want to lose it during my world travels.
Zafar Chaurdry narrated another incident. Once Zafar Chaudhry was staying with
Another anecdote:
Dr Abdus Salam’s son Ahmad Salam told a newspaper editor that once his illustrious father was invited by Queen Elizabeth II to Buckingham Palace for a dinner. After dinner he asked the attendant to return his napkin which was full of mathematical equations.
Mr Bashir Rafiq, Imam of London mosque stated that whenever Dr Salam
was in London he used to come for Fridays prayers and would sit in one of
the front rows at the Fazl mosque. During the Khutba, he would notice that at times Dr
Salam would be busy writing some thing on a piece of paper. One day Mr Rafiq asked him,
Sir you must find my sermons very informative that you keep taking notes. Dr Salam
replied that sometime I get ideas like a flash of light, or an electric current. If I
don’t jot these ideas down right Away, chances are I will forget them. These flashes of intuition are
very basic to my research.
Another anecdote:
In 1981 I received a letter from Dr Abdus Salam in which he informed me that he was coming to
Zakaria Virk & Dr. Abdus Salam |
Madison, Wisconsin, to deliver a lecture on elementary particles. He asked me if it was
convenient for me I should visit him. I
traveled to Madison sometime in July 1981, and met him at one of dormitories
where was staying. He was happy to see me. We stayed together for about two
hours and discussed various matters. I informed him at one point that various US
newspapers like NY Times are alleging that he was helping Pakistan in acquiring
a nuclear device. I asked him how far is this true? He looked at me with a
penetrating gaze and said: it’s a double
edge sword.
Part III
Contributions to third world
Ladies & Gentleman:
I have selected these incidents from the eventful life Prof Abdus Salam, first Pakistani scientist to have won the Noble prize in physics for unifying two forces of nature; namely weak nuclear force and electromagnetic force.
Here is how Prof Sheldon Glashow of Boston University, co-winner of Noble
Abdus Salam and I knew each other very well. My colleagues at this meeting will undoubtedly recall Abdus Salam as an inspirational mentor, as a world renowned
Now I will give you a brief account of Prof Abdus Salam’s contributions to the development of science in the third world to which Prof Glashow has made reference. Prof Abdus Salam wore many hats, he was an able administrator, an educator, a respected teacher, a world statesman, a scientist, and above all champion of third world causes.
Did you know why he established the world renowned ICTP in Trieste, Italy? He
Fortunately he opted for research in theoretical physics for which
he had to leave his beloved Pakistan.
Organizations founded by Dr Salam:
1.
He founded ICTP in Trieste, Italy in 1964. – ICTP, which has trained so
far close to 40,000 scientists. It’s annual budget is $38 million per year.
2.
He founded Third World Academy of Sciences – TWAS in 1985
3.
He founded Third World Organization for Women in Science- TWOWS
4.
He founded Third World
Network for Scientific Organizations -TWNSO
Third World Academy of Sciences
is a brainchild of Prof Abdus Salam. The motto of the academy is Promoting
scientificexcellence for sustainable development in the South.
TWAS is an autonomous international organization, founded in Trieste, Italy in 1983 by a distinguished group of scientists from the South under the leadership of the late Nobel laureate Abdus Salam It was officially launched in 1985 by the then-secretary general of the United Nations, Javier Perez de Cuellar. Since its inception, it’s operational expenses have largely been covered by generous contributions of the Italian government.
The Academy's more than 600 Fellows and Associate Fellows are selected from among the world's most distinguished scientists. Fellows are citizens of the South; while Associate Fellows are citizens of the North who either were born in the South or have made significant contributions to the advancement of science in the South. About 80 percent of TWAS's membership are Fellows representing some 60 countries in the South. A Council elected by members every three years, is responsible for supervising all Academy affairs. A small secretariat headed by an Executive Director Muhammad Hassan assists the Council in the administration and coordination of the programmes The secretariat is located on the premises of Abdus Salam ICTP in Trieste, Italy.
Since 1986 TWAS has
supported scientific research in 100
countries in the South through a variety of programs.
More than 2,000 eminent scientists
Contributions to the development of science & technology in
Pakistan
(1) Prof Salam was scientific advisor to various Presidents from 1961- 74. In this capacity he devised science policy which laid the groundwork for later critical scientific
(2)
He was member Pakistan Atomic Energy commission, prepared a blueprint for Nuclear Processing Plant
that was turned down by President Ayub Khan.
(3) He was Founder, chairman of space agency called SUPARCO, he was present at the launch site in Karachi along with Dr Usmani when Pakistan's first rocket Rahbar I was
(4) He assisted in the purchase of a nuclear reactor from France for
KANUPP (Karachi Nuclear Power Plant).
(5)
He was a member National Science Council, which published his comprehensive
(6)
He was the one who selected the site which became future home of PINSTECH
(7)
He was Advisor to the Education commission and member scientific commission of Pakistan in 1959 which prepared framework for science education.
(8)
He prepared a draft for Islamic Science
Foundation presented at the Lahore Islamic Summit in 1974.
(9)
He assisted in the training of close to 500 scientists, engineers and
technologist to study in Europe and USA. Many foremost Pakistani scientists got
admission in the US universities mainly because of his connections and in many cases he
paid for student’s expenses from his own pocket.
(10) Prof Salam was instrumental in having shipped used books, science journals and
(11) Founded the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy where hundreds of Pakistani students have been studying higher science subjects and
(12) He Started the International Nathiagali Summer College which has been taking
(13)
It was he who suggested the establishment of an independent federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
What did he do with the Nobel Prize money?
When he received the Nobel Prize in 1979, he felt that he had won
it, not for himself, but for the Third World. As such, he felt that he had no
right to use the Prize money for personal purposes but that it must be used to
further his mission for the development of Science in the Third World. He
specially put aside money to help Pakistan and Pakistani students.
Part IV
Some of his sayings
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I have spent my life working on two problems. First to discover the basic building blocks of matter. Of the two passions of my life the second has
Science
is shared heritage of mankind.
been to stress the importance of science transfer for developing countries.
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I believe that the rise of a great poet or a great writer or a great humanist in any Civilization is not an isolated incident – that it is always accompanied by an equally Significant emergence of men as great in science and philosophy.
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God said, let there be light; to make light and to perceive it, He made protons and Electrons – the two fundamental particles of physics.
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I would have liked to show you that with all his pragmatism, the modern physicist possesses at once the attributes of a mystic as well as the sensitivity of an artist.
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There is no conflict between the study of nature, and the study of Islam. A study of these natural laws, and seeing how they operate is a form of prayer and gratitude To Allah.
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Science is shared heritage of mankind.
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Whenever faced with two rival theories for the same set of phenomena, one has Always found that a theory more aesthetically satisfying is also the correct one.
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Personally I have faith in the efficacy of prayer in times of distress. I could elaborate on this intense personally thought but I shall forbear to do this. My greatest desire beforre I die is that Allah in His bounty may grant me the mystical vision, so that I too can partake first hand of what was vouchsafed to the seers in the past.
I
have tried to give you a glimpse of this great Pakistani whose last desire was
to be buried in his Sohni Dharti Pakistan.
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Zakaria Virk, Kingston,
613-544-2397
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