Proceedings of the Academic Conference 1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our World

25-26 May 2010, FSTC organised the high profile academic conference 1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our World at the London Science Museum.

The Editorial Board

On 25th and 26th May 2010 the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) was proud to host a high profile academic conference entitled 1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our World in the Director’s Suite at the London Science Museum.

Professor Salim Al-Hassani, Chairman of FSTC and 1001 Inventions, welcomes the delegates in the opening session of the conference.

The conference brought together many national and international dignitaries and academic scholars to share, celebrate, and propel their studies in the vital arena of Muslim Heritage.

View of the scholars and delegates attending the “1001 Inventions” International Conference at the Science Museum in London on Tuesday 25th May 2010.

The conference lasted for two days and was hosted over eight sessions and focused on the following topics: Enriching the educational curriculum in various countries, Cultural inter-appreciation around the world, Women of science in Muslim heritage, The Environment, and Transmission and translation of knowledge.

Mr Maurice Coles, CEO of CE4CE and the Global Curriculum Enrichment Initiative, gives his talk in the ‘Education Global’ session of the conference.”1001 Inventions”.

Many highly respected scholars spoke at the event, which hosted 20 speakers and more than 130 delegates over the two days. The conference concluded with a special lecture by the world renowned historian of science, George Saliba, Professor of Islamic and Arabic Studies at Columbia University, New York. His talk, entitled “Arabic Science in the Earliest Italian Scientific Academies”, was exceptionally well received and sparked a great deal of discussion among delegates.

Ms. Bettany Hughes, Historian and TV Presenter, addressing to the delegates whom are attending the “1001 Inventions” International Conference at the Science Museum in London on Tuesday 25th May 2010.

We published already an announcement and a report on the conference, with the Conference Programme. Within the program, links are embedded to abstracts and short biographies of the speakers. We publish hereafter in this special section the Proceedings of the conference, containing full texts of the lectures received from the speakers.

Left to right: Dr. Zohor Idrisi, FSTC Research Fellow, London, Prof. Jim Al-Khalili (Memeber of British Science Association and TV & Radio Presenter at BBC), Prof. Salim Al-Hassani (Chairman of FSTC and 1001 Inventions), Prof. George Saliba (Professor of Arabic and Islamic Science at Columbia University, New York), Dr. Rim Turkmani (Imperial College, London), Prof. Mohammed El-Gomati (York University, UK) and Dr. Charles Savage (Muslim Heritage Awareness Group, from Munich, Germany) at the opening session of the international conference.

Conference and International Launch of 1001 Inventions Touring Exhibition

The Conference Programme

TUESDAY 25TH MAY 2010

SESSION 1 : 13.00 – 15.00
CHAIR: Prof. Salim Al-Hassani, UK

OPENING

HE Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu
Secretary General Organisation of the Islamic Conference: Address read by Dr Jan Agha Iqbal
Statement of HE Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in the Opening Session

HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan
President of El Hassan Science City and President of the Royal Scientific Society
Statement of HH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan in the Opening Session

Dr. Oliver Watson, Director Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar

Prof. John C. Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, UK

Prof. Jim Al-Khalili, British Science Association, UK
Abstract | Short biography
Statement of Professor Jim Al-Khalili in the Opening Session

Dr. Natalie Day, Royal Society, UK
Abstract | Short biography
The Next Golden Age? Using History to Inspire Science Today

Prof. Talip Alp, President Sabahattin Zaim University, Turkey

Prof. Mick Waters, Curriculum Enrichment, UK

SESSION 2: 15.30 – 16.25
CHAIR: Prof. Talip Alp, Turkey

MUSLIM HERITAGE: GLOBAL

Prof. Charles Burnett, UK
Abstract | Short biography
The Transfer of Science Between India, Europe and China via Muslim Heritage

Prof. Mehmet Ipshirli, Turkey
Abstract | Short biography
Some Remarks on the Development of Science and Technology in the Ottoman State

Prof. Rabie E Abdel Halim, Egypt
Abstract | Short biography
Medicine in the Middle Ages: New Insights and a Call for Further Research

SESSION 3: 16.25 – 17.00
CHAIR: Prof. M. El-Gomati, UK

SCIENCE IN MUSLIM HERITAGE – I

Prof. George Saliba, USA
Abstract | Short biography
First Copernicus and then Galileo: The Extent of the Contacts between Renaissance Europe and the Islamic World

Dr. Geoffrey J. Roper, UK
Abstract | Short biography
Manuscripts and printing in the spread of Muslim science

1001 INVENTIONS GLOBAL EXHIBITION LAUNCH
19.00 – 21.00: Reception

WEDNESDAY 26TH MAY 2010

SESSION 5: 09.30 – 10.15
CHAIR: Peter Fell, UK

SCIENCE IN MUSLIM HERITAGE – II

Prof. Hamid Al-Naimiy, UAE

Abstract | Short biography
Status of Research in the History of Astronomy in the Arab World

Dr. Rob van Gent, Netherland
Abstract | Short biography
Al-Sufi’s Book of the Stars and its Influence on Islamic and Early European Celestial Cartography

Sali Shahsivari, Macedonia
Abstract | Short biography
Heritage Research for Cultural Inter-Appreciation in the Balkans

SESSION 6: 10.30-11.30
CHAIR: Judge Marilyn Mornington, UK

MUSLIM HERITAGE: SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT

Sir Crispin Tickell, UK
Abstract | Short biography
Environment on the Edge

Dr. Munim Al-Rawi, Ireland
Abstract | Short biography
Ibn Sina’s Discovery of Geologic Time, and its Impact on the Development of Earth Science (Geology) in Europe

Dr. Anne-Maria Brennan, UK
Abstract | Short biography
Sustainability in its Historical Context

Dr Zohor Idrisi, UK
Abstract | Short biography
The Stellar and Lunar Keys to Medieval Muslim Agriculture

SESSION 7: 11.30 – 12.30
CHAIR: Ian Fenn, UK

MUSLIM HERITAGE: EDUCATION GLOBAL

Prof. Emilia Calvo, Barcelona University, Barcelona, Spain
Teaching and Researching on Arabic-Islamic Science at the University of Barcelona (1931-2010)

Bettany Hughes, UK
Abstract | Short biography
Media, Education and the Cultural Connection

Maurice Coles, UK
Abstract |Short biography
CE4CE and the Global Curriculum Enrichment Initiative

Session 8: 14.00 – 15.15
CHAIR: Lena Sabbagh, UK

MUSLIM HERITAGE: GLOBALIA

Prof. Mohammed Abattouy, Morocco
Abstract | Short biography
Global State of Muslim Heritage Research: Strategic Aspects

Dr Rim Turkmani, UK
Abstract | Short biography
Wigs and Turbans: The Keen Interest of 17th-Century English Scientists in their Arab-Muslim Counterparts

Dr. Charles Savage, Germany
Abstract | Short biography
How Might we Tap the Wisdom of the Past to Co-Create a Desired Future?

Ian Kendrick, UK
Abstract | Short biography
Modern Corporate Thinking Techniques and Muslim Heritage

SPECIAL LECTURE: 16.00 – 17
CHAIR: Prof. John C. Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, UK

Prof. George Saliba, Columbia University, US
Arabic Science in the Earliest Italian Scientific Academies