MIA window on Islamic legacy in science opens today

CATHERINE W GICHUKI

DOHA TWO exhibitions that explore and celebrate the legacy of scientific innovation in the Muslim civilisation opened on Tuesday at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). ‘1001 Inventions’ and ‘Arabick Roots’ were inaugurated by Qatar Museums Authority Board of Trustees Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani.

Themed ‘Explore our past to inspire our future’, the two exhibitions will be opened to the public on Wednesday with ‘1001 Inventions’ running till November 12 and ‘Arabick Roots’ till January 19, 2013.

The exhibitions are organised by the Qatar Museums Authority and MIA in partnership with 1001 Inventions, and Shell Qatar.

1001 Inventions is a leading and award-winning international science and cultural heritage brand reaching over 50 million people. Through its award-winning educational programmes, books, block-buster exhibitions, 1001 Inventions showcases the contributions of inspirational men and women of different faiths and cultures in a civilisation that spread from Spain to China.

Both exhibitions are a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers to understand the roots of science and many of our modern day inventions. The exhibitions explain in a fun and exciting way many scientific principles and encourage children to learn while they are having fun.

The ‘1001 Inventions’ exhibition, set up in tent at the MIA Park, features works of scientists and scholars during the golden age of Muslim civilisation, while ‘Arabick Roots’ located in the MIA gallery, explores the movement of scientific knowledge and cultural mores from the Muslim world to Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, by showcasing objects and priceless manuscripts.

The ‘1001 Inventions’ exhibition features things like how Andalusian physician Al Zahrawi invented hundreds of surgical instruments and procedures more than a thousand years ago that are still saving lives in modern hospitals.

Fatima al Fihri, the young woman who founded and designed the world’s first modern university, which offered free education to men and women of all backgrounds, is also featured at the expo. Other scholars featured in the exhibition, include Ibn al Haytham who laid the foundations of Optics including the explanation of the scientific phenomenon ‘Camera Obscura’ – which is still the basic principle used in modern cameras, besides others.

The ‘Arabick Roots expo’ reveals the rich and surprising connections between the scientific pioneers of Muslim Civilisation and 17th century Europe’s greatest scholars and scientists, and shows that then – just like today – collaboration across linguistic and cultural boundaries can lead to great results. It features scholars like Descartes, Boyle, Newton and Halley.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday during Press preview, MIA Director Aisha al Khater said that exhibiting works of scholars will allow youths to understand the roots of the modern civilisation.

“We owe our rich scientific heritage to cultures and civilisations worldwide. With these two exhibitions we rediscover some of the roots of modern civilisation. By showcasing past and modern thinkers, we hope to stimulate young minds and revive the respect that all cultures deserve.” She added that they sent letters to schools for students and teachers to participate.

“The idea is to inspire the young generation to rediscover the golden age. We want the youth to know about the past so as to open a better window for the future,” she said.

Shell Deputy Managing Director Sheikh Thani bin Thamer al Thani said the themes of these two exhibitions, science and education, are an integral part of Shell’s social investment programme here in Qatar and support the social development pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

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