Figure 1.--Modern Turkenistan was commonly referred to as as the Transcaspian region (Meaning beyond the Caspian Sea) during thee Tsarist era. Until the Soviet era, life in the region was little changed for centuries. Here we see a boy near a well. This photographed could have been taken centuruies earlier, actually millenia earlier. The water raising appliance is know as a shaduf or shadoof, by the Arabs and a keton by the Greeks. I am not sure whether the Caspians had another name for it. It was common ancient device dating back to ancient Egypt.

Modern Turkenistan was commonly referred to as as the Transcaspian region (Meaning beyond the Caspian Sea) during thee Tsarist era. Until the Soviet era, life in the region was little changed for centuries. Here we see a boy near a well. This photographed could have been taken centuruies earlier, actually millenia earlier. The water raising appliance is know as a shaduf or shadoof, by the Arabs and a keton by the Greeks. I am not sure whether the Caspians had another name for it. It was common ancient device dating back to ancient Egypt. We note many early photographs like this from the Middle East and Central Asia which coud have been tajken centuries if not millenia earlier. This led us to a discussion of technology in the Muslim world. Here are some discussions with Pakistanis. Similasr discussions could be had with people in many other Muslim countries.

Early Photography in the Muslim World

Photography appeared in the Middle East and wider Muslim world before these countries were much affected by the West. The first studios to open and photographers to operate were Eyropeans. We find it fascinating that most of these images could have been taken a millennium earlier. It is a good example of the stadic state of like in the Middle East and Central Asia. And how Islam has prevented the development of science.

Business Offers

HBC gets a number of eMails from countries wanting to sell clothing, thining HBC is a retailer. Many come from companies all over the world. The most common inquiries come from Pakistan and China. They provide an opportunity to discuss a range of issues with these people.

HBC eMails

HBC has been testing the waters so to speak by sending tyhis message to companies in Pakistan. "Dear Sirs, Thank you for your Business inquiry. As a matter of conscious, I must tell you that our management and employees do not place orders in countries which harbor and facilitate terrorists dedicated to murder and injure innocent civilians. We are horrified that people in your country not only tolerate such barbarity, but actively support it. Kindly direct your inquiries to the Iranians, they also give aid and comfort to terrorists. You and other Pakistanis may feel more comfortable doing business with them."

Pakistani Responses

Now I get an occasional rational response. Most of the responses are heated and evoke standards radical Jihadist rhetoric. You can read some of the responses here: Pakistani radicalism. This which is interesting as these are businessmen and you would think would be somewhat Westernized and rational.

Science and Technology

We like to pursue several lines with them. One of the most interesting is science and technology. Weask them if Pakistan is such a great place why is the country so poor and backward technologically. The response is invariably, we have lots of great scientists and build Atomic bombs. Our response is: It is really much of a scientific achievement to replicate alreadt developed technology, especially 1940s technology? That ends that discussion. So I ask them , "Who are all these great Pakistani scientists and to name one (just one) important invention. That ends that line of discussion. They then fall back on the standard Muslim position which is, what about all the great Muslim scientists of history. I point out that there has not been an important Muslim scientist since the 12th century! An astonishing fact. (An exception is an Egyptian now working in America.) I asked them why in the greatest era of scientific advance in history, has there not been an important Muslim (let alone Pakistani) since the 12th century. That ends that discussion. I sometimes point out that despite all the Jihadist rhetoric, Christian and Jewish scientists and drug companies in the West have saved millions of Muslim lives, in fact tens of million Muslim lives. The response is that Pakistan produces all its own medicines. Our response is, that it is very easy to manufacture drugs once the scientific development work creating the drug is done. I then ask them to name one drug all these great Pakistani scientists have developed. Again--silence.

Why Technology

Readers may ask, why raise the issue of technology? We have found it difficult to discuss most issues with many Muslim readers. A basic reason is that many Muslim readers want to pass over opinions as fact. And here statisstical data which is useful for policy discussions in the West is not very useful in the Muslim countries. Many have weak statisical systems or the data has been compromised by political or relgious figures. Any readers will often simply deny unfavorable statics are blam them on the West and Jews. Thus problems like rape of women, poor schools, iliteracy, poverty, and other prblems can not really be discussed in Pakistan. Technology is another matter. If Pakistan has great scientists, than there are inventions. If there are top notch medical researchers than there are drugs they have developed. Thus we have matters of fact that can not be confused or dismissed.

Lack of Intelectual Curiosity

What amazes us, is that these very basic questions I pose, do not seem to have occurred to these even educated Pakistanis. There seems to be a basic lack of intelectual curriosity. Muslims do not seem to be too cerned about this or ask why. And as we say, these conversations are with the business community, not some fruitcake Jihadists.

Reader Comments

Some readers complain that we are unfair in our treatment of Muslims and Islam. That is why a discussion of science and technology is so useful. It can be reduced to a discussion of facts rather than opinions. And we welcome reader in put, including input from our Muslim readrs. If you think we have been unfair or our facts are wrong, we welcome your comments and insights.

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Created: 9:44 AM 8/2/2011
Last updated: 9:44 AM 8/2/2011