Adbus Salam, Physicist Linked To 'God Particle,' Shunned By Pakistan

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Adbus Salam, Physicist Linked To 'God Particle,' Shunned By Pakistan

By SEBASTIAN ABBOT 07/08/12 02:49 PM ET AP

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan's only Nobel laureate helped develop the theoretical framework that led to the apparent discovery of the subatomic "God particle" last week, yet his legacy has been largely scorned in his homeland because of his religious affiliation.

It's a sign of the growing Islamic extremism in his country.

Adbus Salam, who died in 1996, was once hailed as a national hero for his pioneering work in physics and work that guided the early stages of Pakistan's nuclear program. Now his name is even stricken from school textbooks because he was a member of the Ahmadi sect that has been persecuted by the government and targeted by Taliban militants, who view them as heretics.

Their plight – along with that of Pakistan's other religious minorities, such as Shiite Muslims, Christians and Hindus – has deepened in recent years as hard-line interpretations of Islam have gained ground and militants have stepped up attacks against groups they oppose. The majority of Pakistan's citizens are Sunni Muslims.

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Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/08/adbus-salam-physicist-linked-god-particle-pakistan_n_1657591.html

[cbayer]

1. From the article and something I did not know - wow-

All Pakistani passport applicants must sign a section saying the Ahmadi faith's founder was an "impostor" and his followers are "non-Muslims." Ahmadis are prevented by law in Pakistan to "pose" as Muslims, declare their faith publicly, call their places of worship mosques or perform the Muslim call to prayer. They can be punished with prison and even death.

[Igel]

2. Apostates are worse than those holding lesser revelations.

Or, for some, those who reject God entirely.

In any event, the Ahmadiyya aren't just in Pakistan. I forget if it was Indonesia or Malaysia that had a row involving them, as well. Others Islamic countries tend to frown on them.

I mean, if Muhammed is the bee's knees of revelation, the one sent to the most virtuous people, the ultimate and last prophet, what do you think of any later pretenders to the throne?

Yeah, it's a problem.