For the achievement of a comprehensive independence of the Islamic ummah...

For the achievement of a comprehensive independence of the Islamic ummah, it is essential that all the Muslim countries take steps towards the training of specialists in all important scientific and indus­trial fields.

Moreover, research centers should be established in all Muslim communities where the Muslim researchers can work without any anxieties or problems, and with all necessary facilities for research, so that they are not forced to take refuge in atheistic environments, and as a result compelled to put their expertise in the service of others. Scientific research should be thought of as a fundamentally essential and not an ancillary pursuit.

The Muslims should think of it as an obligation imposed upon them by the Qur’an so that they do not come to rely and be dependent on others. Presently, the practice in most Muslim countries is to import the craft of assembly from Eastern and Western countries instead of making a serious attempt in fundamental scientific research. The present trend will never lead Muslim countries to scientific and technological self‑sufficiency.

Imported technology should be accom­panied by indigenous research work. There should be cooperation between Muslim countries in the scientific and technological research. For this purpose, establishment of communication links between their universities can serve as a preli­minary ground. Moreover, joint research and development bodies (such as the Geneva‑based CERN organization) should be formed by the Muslim countries where Muslim scientists and research scholars can come together.

There should be no nationalistic bias in this regard. Such centers were widely prevalent during the past ages of Islamic civilization. All that has been done hitherto in this connection was more or less of a preliminary nature. Now it is time for a decisive step in this direction. Endnotes [^1]: Al‑Kulayni Thiqat al‑Islam Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, Usul al‑kafi, vol. I, p. 30. Also see the introduction' to Ibn Majah's Sunan; Bihar al‑anwar, vol. I, p. 177. [^2]: Ibid, vol. I, p. 15. [^3]: Ibid, vol.

1, p. 16. [^4]: Ibid, vol. I, p. 39. [^5]: Ibid, vol. I, p. 22. [^6]: Ibid, vol. I, p. 22. [^7]: Ibid, vol. I, p. 72. [^8]: Mulla Sadra, Sharh Usul al‑kafi, p. 121. [^9]: Ibid, p. 120. [^10]: Ibid, p. 121. [^11]: Ibid, p. 129. [^12]: Murtada Mutahhari, Guftar‑e Mah, vol. I, p. 137. [^13]: Al‑Ghazzali, Ihya ulum al‑din, vol. I, p. 39. [^14]: Prophetic tradition; source: Munyat al‑Murid, p 12, Najaf A.H.