Meet Muslim Scholars
Muhammad in Musa Al-Khwarizmi
Muhammad in Musa Al-Khwarizmi
Al-Khwarizmi—the “father of algebra”—was a Persian scholar whose work shaped mathematics, astronomy, and computer science.
Wrote Kitab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala, introducing algebra and methods for solving equations.
Compiled Zij al-Sindhind, detailed astronomical tables tracking the sun, moon, and planets.
His name gave rise to the word “algorithm,” forming the foundation of modern computing.
Al-Khwarizmi—the “father of algebra”—was a Persian scholar whose work shaped mathematics, astronomy, and computer science.
Wrote Kitab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala, introducing algebra and methods for solving equations.
Compiled Zij al-Sindhind, detailed astronomical tables tracking the sun, moon, and planets.
His name gave rise to the word “algorithm,” forming the foundation of modern computing.
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, born in Gaza’s Jabalia Refugee Camp, is a physician, professor, and peace advocate. After losing three daughters in a 2009 airstrike in Palestine, he chose forgiveness over vengeance, sharing his story in I Shall Not Hate and founding the Daughters for Life Foundation to educate young women from the Middle East. A three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, he teaches at the University of Toronto and is recognized worldwide as a leading voice for peace.
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, born in Gaza’s Jabalia Refugee Camp, is a physician, professor, and peace advocate. After losing three daughters in a 2009 airstrike in Palestine, he chose forgiveness over vengeance, sharing his story in I Shall Not Hate and founding the Daughters for Life Foundation to educate young women from the Middle East. A three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, he teaches at the University of Toronto and is recognized worldwide as a leading voice for peace.
Meet Muslim Academics
Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (980–1037), a Persian scholar of the Islamic Golden Age, made lasting contributions to medicine, philosophy, and science. His Canon of Medicine was a cornerstone text in both Europe and the Islamic world, while The Book of Healing explored metaphysics, ethics, and psychology. By advancing the scientific method and bridging Greek knowledge with the European Renaissance, he shaped intellectual thought across cultures for centuries.
Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (980–1037), a Persian scholar of the Islamic Golden Age, made lasting contributions to medicine, philosophy, and science. His Canon of Medicine was a cornerstone text in both Europe and the Islamic world, while The Book of Healing explored metaphysics, ethics, and psychology. By advancing the scientific method and bridging Greek knowledge with the European Renaissance, he shaped intellectual thought across cultures for centuries.
Dr. Amina J. Mohammed
Dr. Amina J. Mohammed
Dr. Amina Chawahir Mohammed Jibril, a trailblazing Kenyan diplomat and educator, made history in 2005 as the first woman to chair the WTO’s General Council. Holding degrees from the University of Kyiv and Oxford, she has advanced international law and diplomacy while driving major reforms in Kenya’s education system, including record student transitions to high school, a Special Needs Education policy, and expanded vocational training. Recognized with honors such as the Chief of the Burning Spear and an honorary doctorate from KCA University, her leadership continues to inspire change nationally and globally.
Dr. Amina Chawahir Mohammed Jibril, a trailblazing Kenyan diplomat and educator, made history in 2005 as the first woman to chair the WTO’s General Council. Holding degrees from the University of Kyiv and Oxford, she has advanced international law and diplomacy while driving major reforms in Kenya’s education system, including record student transitions to high school, a Special Needs Education policy, and expanded vocational training. Recognized with honors such as the Chief of the Burning Spear and an honorary doctorate from KCA University, her leadership continues to inspire change nationally and globally.
Fatima Al-Fihri
Fatima Al-Fihri
Fatima al-Fihriya founded the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, in 859—recognized by UNESCO and Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest continuously operating and first degree-granting university. A center of spiritual and intellectual life, it shaped Islamic and global scholarship, enrolling thousands by the 14th century. Her pioneering vision laid the foundation for modern universities, with traditions like academic dress tracing back to the Islamic Golden Age.
Fatima al-Fihriya founded the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, in 859—recognized by UNESCO and Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest continuously operating and first degree-granting university. A center of spiritual and intellectual life, it shaped Islamic and global scholarship, enrolling thousands by the 14th century. Her pioneering vision laid the foundation for modern universities, with traditions like academic dress tracing back to the Islamic Golden Age.
Ion al-Haytham
Ion al-Haytham
Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen), a leading scientist of the Islamic Golden Age, is celebrated as the “Father of Modern Optics.” His Book of Optics revolutionized the study of light, vision, reflection, and refraction, correcting earlier Greek theories and introducing experimentation akin to the modern scientific method. His groundbreaking work not only advanced optics but also influenced mathematics and astronomy, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire science today.
Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen), a leading scientist of the Islamic Golden Age, is celebrated as the “Father of Modern Optics.” His Book of Optics revolutionized the study of light, vision, reflection, and refraction, correcting earlier Greek theories and introducing experimentation akin to the modern scientific method. His groundbreaking work not only advanced optics but also influenced mathematics and astronomy, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire science today.
Mariam al-Asturlabi
Mariam al-Asturlabi
Mariam al-Asturlabi, a 10th-century Syrian scientist, was renowned for her mastery of astrolabes—tools vital for astronomy, navigation, and determining prayer times. Trained by her father, she refined the craft with exceptional precision and later worked for Saif al-Dawla, the Emir of Aleppo. Honored with an asteroid bearing her name and featured by 1001 Inventions, her legacy continues to inspire, even influencing literature like the award-winning novel Binti.
Mariam al-Asturlabi, a 10th-century Syrian scientist, was renowned for her mastery of astrolabes—tools vital for astronomy, navigation, and determining prayer times. Trained by her father, she refined the craft with exceptional precision and later worked for Saif al-Dawla, the Emir of Aleppo. Honored with an asteroid bearing her name and featured by 1001 Inventions, her legacy continues to inspire, even influencing literature like the award-winning novel Binti.
Omar Khayyam
Omar Khayyam
Omar Khayyam (1048–1131), born in Nishapur, Iran, was a brilliant mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and poet. He authored treatises on algebra and geometry, reformed the Persian calendar with remarkable precision, and contributed lasting insights to science. Beyond scholarship, his Rubaiyat poetry expressed life’s fleeting joys against a backdrop of political and religious complexity, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire both science and literature worldwide.
Omar Khayyam (1048–1131), born in Nishapur, Iran, was a brilliant mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and poet. He authored treatises on algebra and geometry, reformed the Persian calendar with remarkable precision, and contributed lasting insights to science. Beyond scholarship, his Rubaiyat poetry expressed life’s fleeting joys against a backdrop of political and religious complexity, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire both science and literature worldwide.
Zaha Hadid
Zaha Hadid
Zaha Hadid (1950–2016), born in Baghdad, Iraq, was a pioneering architect celebrated for her bold, futuristic designs defined by sweeping curves and striking forms. After studying mathematics in Beirut and architecture in London, she gained international recognition and, in 2004, became the first woman awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Inspired by abstract art and avant-garde movements, her visionary work redefined the possibilities of modern architecture, earning global honors—including being named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and one of Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful Women.
Zaha Hadid (1950–2016), born in Baghdad, Iraq, was a pioneering architect celebrated for her bold, futuristic designs defined by sweeping curves and striking forms. After studying mathematics in Beirut and architecture in London, she gained international recognition and, in 2004, became the first woman awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Inspired by abstract art and avant-garde movements, her visionary work redefined the possibilities of modern architecture, earning global honors—including being named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and one of Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful Women.
Ali Salahpour
Ali Salahpour
Dr. Ali Salahpour is an Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Toronto whose research explores dopamine signaling and its role in neurological and psychiatric conditions. His team investigates how proteins like TAAR1 regulate dopamine activity, aiming to develop therapies that enhance dopamine function for disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Dopamine Transporter Deficiency Syndrome. By uncovering the mechanisms of dopamine transmission, his work seeks to advance treatments that improve brain health and patient outcomes.
Dr. Ali Salahpour is an Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Toronto whose research explores dopamine signaling and its role in neurological and psychiatric conditions. His team investigates how proteins like TAAR1 regulate dopamine activity, aiming to develop therapies that enhance dopamine function for disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Dopamine Transporter Deficiency Syndrome. By uncovering the mechanisms of dopamine transmission, his work seeks to advance treatments that improve brain health and patient outcomes.
