The Mustafa (PBUH) Prize in Science and Technology-2021 4thAward Ceremony held on October 21, 2021 in Tehran, Iran
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The Mustafa (PBUH) Prize, established in 2012, is a top science and technology award granted biennially to the top researchers and scientists of the Islamic world in four categories: “Life and Medical Science and Technology”, “Nanoscience and Nanotechnology”, “Information and Communication Science and Technology”, and “All areas of science and technology”. The Prize is granted to works deemed to have improved the human life, made tangible and cutting-edge innovations on the boundaries of science, or presented new scientific methodology.
The laureates in each category are awarded USD 500,000/- which is financed through the endowments made to the Prize. The laureates are also adorned with a special Medal and a certificate. The Mustafa Prize laureates are invited to lecture around the Islamic World and partake in Science and Technology Exchange Programme (STEP) for interaction with S&T communities.
The 1st Grand Award ceremony was held in 2015 and the 4th biennial award ceremony was held in the infamous Wahdat Hall Tehran (Iran) on 21 October 2021, wherein five scientists were awarded the prize. The ceremony was also live streamed online and many joined virtually.
Engr. Mahdi Saffarinia, the CEO of the Mustafa (PBUH) Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF) and the President of PARDIS Technology Park opened the event with his welcome speech. He warmly welcomed the scientists, scholars and S&T policy makers who attended this round of Mustafa (PBUH) Prize Award Ceremony from around the world.
Dr. Sorena Sattari, the Vice President of Iran for Science and Technology and the head of Mustafa (PBUH) Prize Policy-making Council, in his speech at the ceremony said; “I hope the Mustafa (PBUH) Prize brings opportunities for more friendship in the near future.” He appreciated the idea of the Muslim unity week saying that unity in the Islamic society is very important to cope with challenges.
He talked about the representatives of Islamic society during the golden age of Islam. He named Rumi, Omar Khayyam, Avicenna, Al-Farabi, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, and Ibn al-Haytham as the luminary figures of that era. He said that these figures were luminaries of science and culture in their era and they were beyond borders. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, the scientists are heirs of prophets, he continued. Hence, today Islamic society can provide innovation and development according to their commonalities in having Holy Quran, religion, and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he added. He appreciated a friendly relationship set up between Muslim countries based on science and technology.
According to the experiences of Iran, transforming into an innovative society can overcome challenges with international collaboration in the field of science and technology, he added.
Dr. Sattari said that the Islamic countries have common cultural fields to have joint projects. He said that the Mustafa (PBUH) Prize aims to use science and technology as a factor to make opportunities for friendship and collaboration in Islamic society. “I am very glad that this international prize provides a network of scientists of Islamic countries to solve the problems of society according to science and technology. I hope the Mustafa (PBUH) Prize brings opportunities for more friendship in the near future,” he concluded.
Prof. Cumrun Vafa an Iranian origin scientist working at Havard University, USA and Prof. Zahid Hasan of Bangladesh working at the Princeton University, USA won The Mustafa (PBUH) Prize in the field of “All Areas of Science and Technology”.
Bangladeshi Professor of Princeton University, Zahid Hasan, won the Mustafa(PBUH) Prize for “Weyl fermion semimetals.” He said in his Mustafa (PBUH) Prize acceptance speech; “this achievement is the outcome of my research for more than 15 years”. He then thanked his graduate students, collaborators, colleagues, and mentors with whom he found new and exotic results in Quantum physics. “Big dreams come true rarely in life but it turns out mine did!” he stated.
Harvard University professor an Iranian-American, Prof. Cumrun Vafa a Theoretical Physicist, was awarded the Mustafa (PBUH) Prize for his work “F-Theory.” He gave the full cash prize to an institution in Tehran. “I present this Prize to the Foundation for Supporting Fundamental Sciences that is now being established in Iran by my colleagues,” Vafa said in his Prize acceptance speech, adding “I hope this initial investment attracts more investments for helping the development of basic sciences in Iran and the countries in the region”. He stated; “I am deeply pleased to receive the Mustafa (PBUH) Prize. This prize is a reminder that there are no boundaries in the realm of science and technology, and that these belong to all the humanity.”
Vafa pointed out that the Mustafa (PBUH) Prize is “a reminder that the Islamic countries, making up one-quarter of the world’s population, must revive their importance and play their critical role in this realm.”
Prof. Mohamed H. Sayegh, Prof. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, and Prof. Yahya Tayalati were the other 2021 Mustafa (PBUH) Prize laureates from Islamic countries; viz., Lebanon, Pakistan and Morocco respectively.
Prof. Mohamed H. Sayegh from Lebanon received the Mustafa (PBUH) Prize for “Novel Therapies to Improve Renal and Cardiac Allograft Outcomes.” He in his prize acceptance speech shared the elements of success in academia which he said he has learned “over the past 35 years.” El. Sayegh, Professor of Medicine and Immunology from Lebanon, shared with the audience the elements of success in academia which he had learned over the past 35 years of academic work, such as “Developing a focus of expertise” and “thinking big but expecting success in baby steps.”
Dr. Yahya Tayalati won the Mustafa (PBUH) Prize for “Observation of the Light by Light Scattering and the Search for Magnetic Monopoles.” Tayalati, Professor of Physics from Morocco thanked the members of the Mustafa (PBUH) Science and Technology Foundation for the exemplary way to promote scientific excellence in the Islamic world. Tayalati stated; “I will continue my efforts and I hope that the recognition of my work by the Mustafa (PBUH) Science and Technology Foundation can serve as an inspiration to many others. I am humbled and appreciative.”
Prof. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary was recognized for his “Discovery of fascinating molecules with therapeutic applications”. “For decades I have worked tirelessly and selflessly with the single aim of contributing to the alleviation of the suffering of people through my scientific discoveries. This award has strengthened my resolve to continue this work with sincerity of purpose and selfless motivation,” Prof. Choudhary said. He briefly explained his research work and its implication such as the treatment of Epilepsy and Leishmaniosis diseases.
President ECO Science Foundation Prof. Manzoor Hussain Soomro, a member of the Mustafa (PBUH) Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF) was an invited guest and participated in the ceremony. He has been associated with the activities of MSTF including The Mustafa (PBUH) Prize publicity and the process.
During the ceremony, art performances from the home countries of each laureate, such as music ensemble from Iran, Qawwali from Pakistan and a famous vocalist from Beirut enthralled the audiences and added zest to the event this time.