Ancient Wisdom Exhibition at Qatar Science and Technology Park 16th March 2009 in Doha
1001 Inventions is participating in the launch of the Qatar Science and Technology Park (16th March 2009) in Doha. It is expected to be a high profile event launching the Middle East's largest and most visionary hub for science and technology industries.  | Large image | Figure 1: General plan of the Qatar Science and Technology Park in Doha (Source). |
During the launch of the Qatar Science and Technology Park, there will be an exhibition called "Ancient Wisdom" developed by 1001 Inventions Ltd. The aim of this science and technology exhibition is to celebrate the legacy and scientific heritage of the Muslim World. An example of this heritage of a thousand years is Al-Zahrawi, credited for designing many surgical instruments still used today and for inventing the use of Cat Gut to make thread for internal stitching during surgery and still used in operations today. Ancient inventors like him helped lay down the foundations for modern science and technology.  | Large image | Figure 2: View of the the building of the Qatar Science and Technology Park in Doha (Source).td> |
The reach and genius of Muslim Civilisation 1,000 years ago belies the Western description of this era as the "Dark Ages". Instead it was a vibrant, sophisticated time, where ancestors created maps of the stars, flying machines, algebra, water raising machines and everyday items like soap and shampoo. Qatari students will bring life to this legacy of scientific invention by role playing some of the most important inventors through the magic of theatre and story telling. They will invite us back into the past to meet people like Al-Jazari with his Elephant Clock, or Ibn Al-Haytham with his Camera Obscura.  | Large image | Figure 3: Another view of the the building of the Qatar Science and Technology Park in Doha (Source). |
Also at the launch of the Qatar Science and Technology Park will be a supporting exhibit from the highly successful 1001Inventions Exhibition that toured the UK for the last 3 years, showcasing the many contributions of Muslim Civilisation in the world around us. This part of the exhibition provides a historical context for the performances created by the Qatari students.  | Large image | Figure 4: View of the audirotium at the the Qatar Science and Technology Park in Doha. |
Scientists in the Performance (all dates are in CE): 1. Al-Zahrawi: 936-1013, Cordoba, Spain – Surgeon, designed medical instruments, still in use today 2. Mariam Al-Ijliya Al-Asturlabiya: 944-967, Syria, astrolabe maker 3. 'Abbas Ibn Firnas: died 887, Andalusia, Spain, author of the first successful attempt to fly 4. Ibn Al – Haytham: 965-1039, born in Basra, Iraq, died in Cairo – the most important physicist of the middle ages, he was the first to build a correct and correct optical theory encompassing the modern understanding of light; he also disclosed in his Kitab al-Manazir the invention of the Camera Obscura 5. Al Jazari: died in 1206, lived in Diyar Bakir, Turkey, Mechanical Engineer, father of various machines, including mechanisms using the principles of automation and robotics and built sophisiticated clocks and water raising machines 6. Al Khawarizmi: was active in Baghdad in the first third of the 9th century; he is known as the father of Algebra 7. Fatima Al-Fihri: d. ca 840 in Fez, Morocco; built the Mosque Al-Qarawiyin in Fez, which evolved later as the world's first known University.  | Large image | Figure 5: Page of the manuscript of Al-Jazari's The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices (Source). |
For more information, visit www.1001Inventions.com: Ancient Wisdom Exhibition at Qatar Science and Technology Park 16th March 2009 in Doha. Qatar Science & Technology Park is a home for international technology companies in Qatar, and an incubator of start-up technology businesses. Established in 2004 as a part of Qatar Foundation, the purpose of the science park is to spur development of Qatar's knowledge economy. Website: www.qstp.org.qa.
See the press release: QSTR Inauguration: 16th March 2009  | Large image | Figure 6: Page of the manuscript of Al-Jazari's The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices (Source). |
by: FSTC Limited, Tue 24 February, 2009
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