Abdus Salam was a brilliant physicist. So brilliant, in fact, that he won the Nobel Prize for physics in 1979. He was the first Muslim to do so. His fellow Pakistanis mostly ignored his accomplishment though, spurning him because he was an Ahmadiyya. Pakistan’s treatment of its first Nobel prize winner represents a disgusting display of intolerance that did irreparable harm to the nation.

His dream was to educate and train his fellow Muslims to improve his nation’s scientific abilities. After graduating from Cambridge, he returned to Pakistan to do exactly that, becoming the head of the mathematics department at the Punjab University. Unfortunately, his dream was cut short, as he was forced to flee the country he loved. Pakistan’s gifted son was chased away because his countrymen could not abide his unorthodox religious views. His government went so far as to declare that he was not even a Muslim.

Instead of being given the resources to build a research facility worthy of his intellect so that he could train the next generation of Pakistani scientists, he was forced to return to Europe, which took full advantage of his brilliance. His contributions to Europe’s scientific abilities led to breakthroughs in fields such as quantum electrodynamics, theoretical particle physics, and electroweak theory. The refusal of Pakistanis to follow the simple maxim of live and let live robbed the nation of a man who had the potential to single handedly catapult Pakistan’s scientific abilities into the 21^st century. 

Aside from highlighting a culture of bigotry, this episode shows exactly why the Muslim world has been so weak for so long. It is a vivid illustration of the type of short-sighted thinking that led to Europe’s colonial conquests, which were made possible because its massive technological advantages allowed it to build militaries Muslims simply could not match. The difference in their technological abilities finds its roots in the same mentality that ran Mr. Salam out of his native land.

Muslims have turned themselves from people who invented algebra into people that force their brightest into the arms of those that once violently oppressed them. Instead of giving themselves the opportunity to invent a new mathematical field, Pakistan’s leaders and people gave in to those among them who believe it is acceptable to use violence against those with differing religious views. Their inability to abide by the tenets of their own faith by ignoring its command that there can be no compulsion in religion chased away a patriot who was desperate to help his country.

Sadly, many Pakistanis have yet to learn from this tragic affair. The recent murder of a priest and lynching of a factory manager show that far too many still adhere to the sort of hateful ideology that forced Mr. Salam to flee. To make matters worse, Pakistan’s government still enacts and enforces laws based on these same principles.

Instead of using religion as a pretext to control or discriminate against others, Pakistanis must allow each other to live their lives as they see fit so that people can express themselves and follow their passions without fear. This is the only way to unleash people’s creative energy and this energy is the key to technological innovation and growth. It is impossible to limit artistic, personal, religious, or political expression and still create an environment that is conducive to technological development.

Such inclusive and tolerant attitudes will also be key to keeping Pakistan united and strong. Pakistan is so large and diverse that only a culture that emphasizes peaceful co-existence can ensure it remains a unified country. Those who wish to see Pakistan rise as a powerful nation must therefore embrace Islamic notions of tolerance and compassion.

As conflicts in Baluchistan and the Tribal Areas show, the alternative is perpetual violence and instability. The sad fact is that mankind’s history is a violent one. Those societies that do not develop the means to harmoniously co-exist and protect themselves will inevitably fall to conquest and violence.

In the modern era, a nation’s ability to protect itself depends on strong economic and technical abilities. An important facet of developing these abilities is fostering inclusivity and tolerance (as well as democratic forms of governance). Z.A. Bhutto infamously promised his countrymen would eat grass to ensure Pakistan had the means to protect itself. The tragic irony behind his dramatic proclamation is that it would have been completely unnecessary had Pakistanis simply embraced Abdus Salam as a fellow human being instead of obsessing over his religious views.

Pakistan was able to build its nuclear weapons by creating an extensive smuggling ring to provide the equipment it was unable to build on its own. But nuclear weapons are just one facet of national security. Over the next few decades, developments in AI software, space travel, and nanotechnology will decide which nations rank among the powerful and which will remain weak and vulnerable. Rather than allow a gifted genius to help it build a scientific foundation capable of developing this technology, Pakistan created the sort of toxic intellectual climate that will consign it to the ranks of the weak and vulnerable.

If Pakistan or the wider Muslim world ever wishes to rebuild itself and end the dominance of outsiders over the Islamic world it will need to create a culture that allows people like Abdus Salam to contribute to the full extent of their talents. Not just because it the right or moral thing to do (though it certainly is) but because it is the smart thing to do. It is no coincidence that the zenith of Islam’s power occurred when it was its most tolerant and accepting of dissent. Without these qualities, societies tear themselves apart from within making them far more likely to implode than achieve greatness. It is time for Muslims to aspire to be great once more. The best way to do that is to honor the legacy of Abdus Salam by making sure all Pakistanis can contribute to the nation’s development to the full extent of their talents regardless of their differences.

The author is a US Navy veteran, intellectual property attorney and creator of the blog www.mirrorsfortheprince.com where he discusses ways to modernize the Muslim world.