11th May 2012, London – His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales has written the foreword for the latest edition of the best-selling 1001 Inventions book, published by National Geographic, which demonstrates the enduring legacy of Muslim civilization. The previous two editions of the flagship 1001 Inventions publication sold more than 250,000 copies, with Turkish and Arabic versions also proving very popular.
Praising the project, The Prince of Wales states in his foreword: "I am delighted to see the success of the initiative called 1001 Inventions, which presents and celebrates the many scientific, technological and humanitarian developments shared by the Islamic world and the West."
The Prince of Wales also states: "It is a matter of great pride that, although global in its outreach and operation, 1001 Inventions is in fact an initiative of a British-based team supported by a network of academics around the world."
1001 Inventions highlights how many of the most important scientific and technological discoveries and building blocks of modern civilization came out of Muslim society during the centuries after the fall of ancient Rome — a period known as the ‘Dark Ages' in European civilization. However, while the Western World was in the doldrums, a "knowledge revolution" was occurring in the Muslim world.
The new edition of the book, titled 1001 Inventions: The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Civilization, is official companion to the blockbuster 1001 Inventions exhibition, which is due to open at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, DC, at the start of August 2012. This third edition details hundreds outstanding achievements and the pioneering minds behind them.
The book's seven chapters are richly illustrated and provide insight into everyday life across Muslim civilization and the related and subsequent growth and progress of Western civilization. There is also an extensive reference section, a glossary of subjects and people, charts, timelines and maps illustrating the inventions and contributions, photographs, artifacts, historic documents and drawings."
Ahmed Salim, Producer of 1001 Inventions, commented: "We are honoured that The Prince of Wales has written the foreword for the latest edition of the 1001 Inventions book. The Prince of Wales has, for many decades, actively promoted greater awareness of the enormous impact that Muslim Civilisation has had on our modern way of life, and he has publicly recognised the enormous, yet under-appreciated, positive influence that this era in history has on the world in which we live. We are grateful for The Prince of Wales' continuing support for the important work that we are carrying out."
HRH The Prince of Wales
1001 INVENTIONS
1001 Inventions is an award-winning international science and cultural heritage brand.
1001 Inventions is recognised as the global leader in popularising awareness of the thousand year 'Golden Age' of Muslim Civilisation. From the 7th century onward, within a civilisation stretching from Spain to China, men and women of different faiths and cultures built on knowledge from ancient civilisations, making breakthroughs that have left their mark on our world.
Through its association with Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives and the UK based FSTC, 1001 Inventions has reached over 50 million people around the world using award winning productions, films, blockbuster exhibitions, books and educational resources.
KEY PARTNERS
Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives are the Global Strategic Partner of 1001 Inventions. The UK based Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) are the Knowledge Partner of 1001 Inventions.
