ny discussion about science and religion in Islam must contend, sooner or later, with the fact that, as Bruno Guiderdoni says, “the Islamic world faces modernity with difficulty.” Guiderdoni, a Muslim Professor of Astrophysics at the Paris Institute of Astrophysics, thinks one reason for the difficulty is the loss of the scientific tradition that was so active during the golden age of Islam. “At that time,” says Guiderdoni, “Muslims contributed to the development of knowledge in all fields.”

A new international program called “Science and Religion in Islam” (Click here for The new research supported by the Foundation and overseen by the “Science and Religion in Islam” program) is working toward a revival of this tradition by promoting a better understanding of the discoveries and philosophical implications of modern science within the framework of traditional and contemporary Islamic thinking.

To do this, the program has initiated a dozen research grants awarded to scientists, philosophers and theologians who are leading innovative research in the field of science and religion. Topics range from “Quantum Mechanics and Islam” and “The Tawhid of Physics.” Guiderdoni says the program is starting with the most recent discoveries of modern science and the new paradigms they imply and studying how the philosophical implications of these discoveries interact with traditional Islamic thinking. “The key idea is restoring the spirit of openness, tolerance and dialogue that is at the heart of the Islamic faith. By showing the possibility of something constructive happening which Muslims, especially in Arab countries, can be proud, is a force for positive change,” he says.

A key component to the work that “Science and Religion in Islam” is doing is to promote it within the Arab media. “There is very little coverage of science in Arab media,” says Guiderdoni. “In an intellectual landscape that looks like a desert, creating even a small community of talented people who work together, and debate peacefully about difficult questions, will be a powerful image.”

The research work being done has already attracted public attention, in the form of newspaper, television and radio programs. As more scholars become involved with the program, Guiderdoni plans to organize events in Arab countries in conjunction with local academics. “At the end of the program, we will have created a seed community of a dozen researchers who are able to address the issue in an international context, plus an opinion stream around their activity, including other academics, students, opinion leaders and journalists.”

“We would like to show that Muslims can participate in the intellectual endeavors of our time. More profoundly, I think that the debate between science and religion needs the voice of Islam, to combine in a nice polyphony with the voices of Judaism and Christianity.”

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