Kennedy's claim about Arab science contributions challenged by Nobel Prize winners

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made statements at a Republican campaign event in Michigan saying Arabs do not produce science or win major scientific and literary prizes, WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando reported.

Kennedy claimed that despite there being 500 million Arabs worldwide, they do not win the Nobel Prize, Fields Prize, Wolf Prize, or produce literature. These comments were criticized as inaccurate and racially biased, especially given the presence of a significant Arab American population in the state where he spoke.

Several notable Arab individuals have won Nobel Prizes, contradicting Kennedy's assertions. Egyptian law scholar Mohamed El Baradei won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for his work with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Yemeni journalist Tawakkol Karman received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 as the first Arab woman laureate.

Additionally, Egyptian-American scientist Ahmed Zewail was awarded the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988. Jordanian-born chemist Omar M. Yaghi also received a prestigious chemistry award.

An HHS representative had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting. The distinction between Arab ethnicity and Muslim religious identity was also noted, emphasizing that the two are not synonymous.