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Strategic Alliance for a World-wide Roll-out of 1001 Inventions Exhibition

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Figure 1: Professor Salim Al-Hassani, Chairman of FSTC, and Mohammed Jameel, Chairman of the Abdul Latif Jameel Group.

March 10, 2008

1001 Inventions today unveiled an ambitious plan for a global expansion of its touring exhibition. Through the strategic support of Abdul Latif Jameel Company (ALJ), the ground breaking educational initiative exploring historical Muslim contributions to science and technology is set to embark upon a worldwide roll-out.

1001 Inventions highlights the Muslim heritage in our world and reveals over a thousand years of scientific contributions made by early Muslim scholars that helped form the foundations of modern civilisation.

The initiative, which today celebrates its second anniversary, was developed by the U.K-based Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation (FSTC). It features the touring interactive exhibition, a fascinating book and vivid teaching materials.

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Figure 2: Professor Salim Al-Hassani, Chairman of FSTC, and Afzal Khan, Lord Mayor of Manchester both holding up a replica of the 9th Century flying machine of Abbas Bin Firnas.

Delivering a keynote speech at IBTIKAR, the exhibition for inventions and innovators currently taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Professor Salim Al-Hassani, Chief Editor of 1001 Inventions and Chairman of FSTC, said: "This alliance with ALJ builds upon the outstanding success of the exhibition currently touring the U.K. It will enable us to embark upon a high-profile world tour visiting over 20 major locations, starting next year with North America and the Middle East".

Professor Al-Hassani added: "We are committed to this educational campaign which actively promotes a shared heritage through mutual respect and understanding. It is appropriate that this announcement has been made at IBTIKAR which applauds innovation and scientific breakthroughs."

ALJ is an independent and diversified business group with international interests. The group maintains an active philanthropic programme supporting and sponsoring high quality education projects to promote cross-cultural dialogue. Most recent of these is the famous Jameel Gallery at the Victoria & Albert museum, London and the SACRED exhibition at the British Library.

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Figure 3: School children watching a demonstration of how to use a 10th Century Astrolabe.

Mohammed Jameel, Group President, said: "1001 Inventions is a noble initiative with which we are privileged to be associated. The impact it has had on Muslims and non-Muslims so far is testament to its effectiveness in building strong and lasting bridges between different cultures through cultural routes of Science and Technology. This worthwhile cause actively helps reduce ignorance in society and the corrosive effects of division, polarisation and fear between different communities."

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Figure 4: A school girl using a 10th Century Astrolabe.

Complementing the exhibition is the much sought-after 1001 Inventions book, first published in March 2006, which has received overwhelming response from around the globe with the first edition sold out within three months of its publication. The book and the 1001 Inventions initiative are currently being showcased at the IBTIKAR exhibition.

Since the launch of 1001 Inventions in Manchester, England, in March, 2006 the exhibition has welcomed over 350,000 visitors. An independent survey revealed that a staggering 65 percent of non-Muslims who visited the exhibition agreed that Muslims had made a positive impact on society. In addition, 71 percent of non-Muslims surveyed considered historical Muslim scholars to be good role models for British students.

The exhibition features interactive displays, hands-on and sensory exhibits which bring to life the long-lasting contributions Muslim pioneers made to modern civilisation, including: