Ali Moustafa Mosharafa

Ali Moustafa Mosharafa Pasha
File:Mosharafa.jpg
Born	11 July 1898 Damietta, Egypt
Died	(1950-01-16)January 16, 1950
Nationality	Egyptian
Scientific career
Fields	Physics
Institutions	Cairo University

Ali Moustafa Mosharafa Pasha (11 July 1898 - 16 January 1950 ) was an Egyptian physicist who was professor of applied mathematics, the Faculty of Science at Cairo University. He contributed to the development of the theory of relativity and corresponded with Albert Einstein.

Einstein said on hearing of his death, "I can not believe that Mosharafa is dead, he is alive through his researches. We are in need of his talents, it is a great loss, he was a genius. I used to follow up his researches in atomic energy, definitely he is one of the best scientists in physics."

Mosharafa was one of the distinguished few who were in close contact with the great scientist Einstein. He enriched Einstein's theory on relativity. He was an Arab pioneer in natural sciences. He wrote 26 significant researches including theoretical explanations of natural phenomena. He expounded a theory which facilitated the study of the basic structure of the atom.

He was an outstanding Arab genius who gave a lot to the West and received very little in return. He believed that education is the way out to freedom.

Mosharafa was born on 21st July, 1898 in Damietta. Members of his family were known of their piety and interest in science, some were judges and others Muftis. His father was a religious scholar who belonged to the school of Gamal Al-Din Al-Afghani and Mohammed Abdou. He wrote several interpretations of the verses of Qur'an and was known as the originator of the fifth doctrine for his valuable independent judgments and opinions.

He was the youngest student in his class, but the most knowledgeable. He obtained his primary certificate in 1910 ranking first nationwide. At the age of 16 he obtained his Baccalaureate in 1914, the youngest student at that time to be awarded such a certificate. He preferred to enroll in the Teachers' College rather than the faculties of Medicine or Engineering due to his deep interest in mathematics. He graduated in 1917. Due to his excellence in mathematics, the Egyptian Ministry of Education sent him to England where he obtained BSc ( Honors) from Tottenham University, 1920.

Based on the English University frame of reference, the Egyptian University consented to grant Mosharafa another scholarship to complete his doctoral thesis for, as a boarder. During his stay in London many of his scientific researches were published in prominent science magazines. He obtained a PhD in 1923 from the Royal College of London in the shortest possible time permissible according to the regulations there. In 1924 he was awarded DSc (the greatest academic degree in Sciences), the first Egyptian and 11th scientist in the entire world to obtain such a degree. When he returned home he became a teacher in the Higher Teachers' college.

When the Egyptian University was opened in 1925, he became an assistant professor of mathematics in the Faculty of Science because he was under the age of 30, the minimum age required for fulfilling the post of a professor. His promotion to professor was raised in the Parliament chaired, then, by Saad Zaghloul. The Parliament lauded his qualifications and merits which surpassed those of the English dean of the faculty. In 1926 he was promoted to professor.

He was the first Egyptian professor of applied mathematics, the Faculty of Science. He became dean of the faculty in 1936.

King Farouq granted him the title "Pasha", but he declined the kings offer claiming that no title is worthier than a PhD in sciences. In spite of his merit, he was denied the presidency of the university. He remained in office as a dean of the Faculty of Science until he died in 1950. In 1947 Einstein established the Advanced Sciences Institute in the USA. Mosharafa was invited and nominated by his professor Piageur Barton Nilspor to work there but both the king and government disapproved.

He was one of the few scientists at that time who knew about the secrets of atom structure. In recognition of his great achievements, a laboratory and an auditorium were named after him. His family earmarked a sum of money as an annual reward in his name to be given to the cleverest student in mathematics.

He wrote a book on the theory of relativity translated into English, French and German. It was reprinted in the USA. He produced around 15 scientific books about relativity, mathematics, atom and space invasion. His most important books are: - - We and Science - Science and Life - Atom and Atomic Bomb - Scientific Claims - Engineering in Pharaohs Times

He was the first to call for social reform and development based on scientific research. He was the first Arab scientist to know about atomic fission. It is his research on the relation between matter and radiation which made him well-known. In his theory he said, "All natural phenomena whose speed equals that of the sun is called radiation, whereas all phenomena which have little or no velocity is called matter; that means that the difference between matter and radiation is a difference in relative speed. As matter in light speed is radiation and radiation speed in light speed is matter."

He was keen on disseminating public scientific awareness, and wrote several articles and books for the public about science in simple forms. He, further, encouraged translations into Arabic. He contributed in writing the Arab scientific encyclopedia and books on the scientific heritage of the Arabs as well. He was against the use of atomic energy in war and warned against the exploitation of science as a means of destruction. His relentless endeavors to explore all that is mysterious made all his researches a series of discoveries. "Egypt & Europe Magazine" published a cartoon of him standing between Russia and the USA holding in his hands rolled paper, and both superpowers awaiting him to unfold the secrets of science. Among his students was Dr. Samira Moussa.

His achievements

-He published a book on the Theory of Relativity, which was translated into English, French and German. It was reprinted in the USA. -He published around 15 scientific books about relativity and mathematics. He approved that "material,energy and radiation are same thing" -He also was interested in the relation between music and mathematics, he helped to establish the Egyptian society of studying the music.

References

• Bio at Egyptian government site. IDSC