innovation driven economy
TRANSCRIPT
Islamic Model of an Innovation Driven
Economy: Examining the Characteristics
of the Islamic Civilization
ICASS, 19-20th March, 2011
Changsha,
P.R. China
Dr. Irfan Sabir
穆罕默德阿里Huazhong University of Science & Tech, Wuhan, P.R. China. [email protected]
Concluding Remarks
Islamic Model of Innovation-Driven
Economy
Context: Innovation
Research Questions
Context: Innovation
Enhances the Competitiveness of a Nation
Makes significant contribution towards
Economic Growth
Reduces Poverty
Taking Knowledge as the Basis, requires a
Substantial Effort and Time Period
Context: Innovation Driven Economy
Where organizations, supported by governmental
and private institutes, use high technology and self
generated sophisticated methods to produce and
compete on the basis of innovative products.(Global Competitiveness Report, 2008).
Successful Factors: Difference of Opinion (Paul Sommers and Daniel J., 2003)
(US Department of Commerce, 2006)
Context: Islamic Civilization (700-1700 C.E)
Scientific, Technological and a Cultural bridge without which Europe could not had crossed over from barbarism
into modernity. (Y. G.-M. Lulat, 2005)
Universal Civilization First ever truly in the history of mankind. (Bernard Lewis, 2003)
Neglected and Unexplored(Mazyar Lotfalian, 2004).
Innovation Driven Economy(Prof. Salima Hassani, 2008)
Innovations of the Islamic Civilization in
Daily Products
Coffee
Fountain
Pen
Soft Drink
Carpet
Innovations of the Islamic Civilization in
Sophisticated Technology
Robot
Calligraphy
Rocket
Technology
Wind Mill
Camera
Innovations of the Islamic Civilization in
Scientific EducationAlgebra
Social SciencesSoil Management
Chemistry
Surgery
Music Therapy
Research Questions
What were the characteristics of the
Islamic civilization by which it:
Had developed into an Innovation Driven
Economy?
Had developed the first ever True Universal
Society?
Was also able to create a balance between
Science and Religion?
Characteristics
Divine Guidance
Internal and External Vision
Travelling and Knowledge Acquisition
Knowledge Dispersion and Social Welfare.
Continuous Learning and Open Innovation
Common Sense, Reasoning and Refutation of
Superstitions
Morality and Respect for Indigenous People
Islamic Model of an Innovation Driven Economy
1. Divine Guidance as a source for all Knowledge
a) Holy Quran: The Word of Allah (God):
One third of the Book invites its readers, directly and
indirectly, to seek knowledge through:
√
√
√
√
Observing Nature
Reasoning
Travelling
Self and Inner Reflection
b) Sunnat: Actions and Sayings of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Peace Blessings be Upon Him and His
Followers)
Seek knowledge; even if you have to travel towards
China
To seek knowledge is obligatory for both Men and
Women
The ink of a Scholar is more sacred than the blood of a
Martyr
Islamic Model of an Innovation Driven Economy
2. Internal and External Vision: Balance between
Materialistic and Spiritual Development.
Islamic Model of an Innovation Driven Economy
Modern Interest System
Global Economic Crisesand
Vicious Cycle of Poverty
Islamic Principles
External Vision
(five senses), and
Internal Vision
(heart, spirituality).
3. Travelling and Knowledge Acquisition
• Daily Congregational prayers in a Mosque
• One Weekly Lecture along with Mid-Day Prayer
• Two Annual Lectures along with the Eid Prayers
• Annual Pilgrimage in the Holy City of Makah
Sufi Muslims travelled throughout the world
Bases
for
Cultural
Diversity
and
Idea
Sharing
√
√ Islamic Civilisation developed the First World
Atlas consisting of 70 maps. (Clair Gemson, 2008)
Islamic Model of an Innovation Driven Economy
Annual Islamic Pilgrimage
2.8 Million Muslims from
181 Countries performed
Pilgrimage in 2010.(http://theweek.com/article/index/209446/the-
hajj-2010-by-the-numbers)
4. Knowledge Dispersion and Social Welfare.
Islamic Model of an Innovation Driven Economy
First ever Diploma and
Degree awarding
Universities(Guinness Book of Records, 1998)
First ever Hospital and
Pharmacy(Howard R. Turner, 2002)
Freedom of Participation: Muslims and Non-Muslims
Mostly Free of Charge: Educational Institutions, Public
Libraries, Pharmacies and Research Laboratories
5. Continuous Learning and Open Innovation
• Open Religion: Collaboration with everyone
• Falsification Tests, Logic and Reasoning as the principles
of faith (Dr. Garry Miller, 1992).
Islamic Model of an Innovation Driven Economy
Paper Making:
A Chinese secret
distributed around the
world by Muslims
5. Continuous Learning and Open Innovation
Outward Vision: Eager and ambitious to Learn and Explore
New Products, New Methods, and New Cultures in order to
Develop and benefit not only their Own selves but also the
Society.
Islamic Model of an Innovation Driven Economy
Zheng He: 馬三寶 /郑和A Muslim Chinese who
organized a fleet of more
than 100 ships and 27,550
men (first ever and only in
Chinese history)
6. Common Sense, Reasoning and
Refutation of Superstitions.
Sacrificing of Infants in rituals in ancient
United States of America.
Foot Binding of Females and the
concept of Imaginary Dragons
Assassination of Galileo by the Church
for claiming that the earth rotates around
the sun
Paganistic Words in modern day
English language like Saturday and
Sunday
Islamic Model of an Innovation Driven Economy
7. Morality and Respect for Indigenous People.
• Muslim Rulers and Scientists admired,
encouraged and acknowledged others’ work.
(Dr. Ragheb, 2010).
Unlike other civilizations where, for example:
• Educational and Research institutes were burnt down
during the Christian crusades. (Peter N. Stearns, 2008).
• Millions of books were destroyed by the Mongols.(Cyrus, 2001).
• Native people were wiped off by the European invaders
in North America, Australia and African countries.(Eugen, 1972).
Islamic Model of an Innovation Driven Economy
Quran and
Sunnat
Morality and
Respect for
Indigenous
PeopleRefutation of
Superstitions
Continuous
Learning and
Open
Innovation
Travelling and
Knowledge
Acquisition
Educational
Institutes &
Research
Laboratories
Knowledge
Dispersion and
Social Welfare
Material and
Spiritual
Development
Agreement
between
Religion and
Science
Innovation-
Driven
Economy
First-ever
True
Universal
Society
Know
ledge fo
r All
Innovation-Economic Growth & Social Welfare
Islamic Civilization: Ignored & Unexplored
Innovation Driven Economy
Concluding Remarks
First ever true universal society
Balance between Science and Religion
Future Research Prospects
Comparing Islamic and other Civilizations
A particular Sector / Industry
