Nobel Prize: History, Numbers, and the Muslim World’s Representation

The prestigious 2025 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Venezuela’s pro-democracy leader Maria Corina Machado. The announcement was made by Jorgen Wattenfredens, head of Sweden’s Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, during a formal ceremony held in Oslo.
At the time of the announcement, Jorgen Wattenfredens stated that Maria Corina Machado was being recognized for her continued struggle for democracy, human freedom, and political rights. He noted that Machado’s movement had revived democratic values not only in Venezuela but across Latin America.
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded each year to an individual or institution that has made significant efforts to promote international fraternity, reduce standing armies, or contribute to the establishment of peace. This year, Maria Corina Machado stood out among thousands of activists who raised their voices against political oppression, human rights abuses, and restrictions on freedom of expression.
Machado has already received several international honors, including the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought from the European Parliament.
Interestingly, U.S. President Donald Trump was also among the nominees for this year’s Peace Prize. He was nominated by Malta’s Foreign Minister Ian Borg, who claimed that Trump had made notable efforts to mediate international conflicts and reduce tensions in the Middle East. However, after much deliberation, the Nobel Committee decided to award the prize to individuals who were actively and directly engaged in the promotion of democracy and civil freedoms.
President Trump was reportedly quite hopeful of receiving the Peace Prize, and just hours before the announcement, he had said, “If I don’t get this award, it would be a great insult to our country.” On the other hand, some political analysts have interpreted Trump’s rejection as a clear message from the Nobel Committee: that peace requires not just statements but real action and sacrifice. His failure has sparked sarcastic commentary on social media, where users remarked, and “Being a peacemaker isn’t enough; consistent performance and dedication are essential for a Nobel.”
That brings us to a more serious question: Is this prestigious prize distributed equally across all nations and communities? Regrettably, the answer is no. The representation of the Muslim world in the list of Nobel laureates is strikingly low. Why? This question demands deep reflection.
From 1901 to the end of 2024, over 1,000 individuals and organizations have received Nobel Prizes. Some were jointly awarded, so the actual number of recipients is slightly higher. Most of these laureates hail from Europe, the United States, and other developed countries.
With a global Muslim population of approximately 1.9 billion, only a little over a dozen individuals from the Muslim world have received a Nobel Prize. Some of the prominent names include:Dr. Abdus Salam (Pakistan) – Physics, 1979,Anwar Sadat (Egypt) – Peace, 1978,Yasser Arafat (Palestine) – Peace, 1994,Shirin Ebadi (Iran) – Peace, 2003,Tawakkol Karman (Yemen) – Peace, 2011,Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan) – Peace, 2014 and Nadia Murad (Iraq) – Peace, 2018.
This list clearly highlights that the Muslim world’s contribution in scientific and academic fields is negligible, while most awards have been for peace and human rights.This issue is not just academic or scientific—it also involves cultural, societal, political, and economic dimensions.
1. Neglect of Education: In many Muslim countries, education is not given due priority. There’s a serious lack of investment in scientific research, universities, and research institutions.
2. Absence of a Research Culture: While the West treats research as an art and a necessity, in many Muslim societies, it’s viewed merely as a requirement for obtaining degrees.
3. Political Instability: Ongoing wars, dictatorships, and unrest hinder development. Science and literature flourish in peace, which is a rare commodity in many Muslim regions.
4. Lack of Intellectual Freedom: In several Muslim-majority countries, restrictions on free speech stifle innovation. Creative freedom is essential for producing Nobel-worthy work.
5. Misplaced Priorities: Education, science, and research are often sidelined in favor of political and religious agendas.
The Nobel Prize does not recognize religion, race, or nationality—it rewards knowledge, service, and creativity. If the Muslim world wishes to gain a respectable presence on this global stage, the following steps are essential:
• Prioritize education at all levels.
• Invest heavily in scientific research and development.
• Encourage free thinking and creative expression.
• Train the youth to compete at a global standard.
• Keep educational institutions free from political interference.
The Nobel Prize is a symbol—a symbol that reflects the world’s appreciation for those who contribute to knowledge, peace, and human progress. The underrepresentation of Muslims in the Nobel laureates list is certainly a matter of concern, but it is not a permanent reality. With sincere efforts in the field of education and research, there’s no reason why the Nobel Prize won’t once again knock on the doors of the Muslim world.
Looking back at its history, the Nobel Prize is named after Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite. In his will, Nobel dedicated nearly all his wealth to a fund that would annually reward individuals for outstanding contributions in science, literature, and peace.