The York Society of Engineers: A Lecture by FSTC Chairman, 6th December, York, UK

Upcoming Lecture by Prof. Mohamed El-Gomati, Chairman of FSTC, at The York Society of Engineers, York

Lecture by Prof. Mohamed El-Gomati, Chairman of FSTC, at The York Society of Engineers, York.

Date: Thursday, 6th December 2012
Time: 7:30pm
Title: Influence of Islamic Science
Presenter: Prof. Mohamed El-Gomati, OBE, University of York
Location: Askham Bryan College near York
Orginezers: The York Society of Engineers

What Really Happened During the Dark Ages?

Isaac Newton once said: “I can see thus far because I am standing on the shoulders of giants.” However, seldom do we see references to non-Greek scientists and engineers, who contributed to our understanding of present day science and technology. The role of Arab and Muslim scientists and scholars, in particular during the so called “European Dark Ages”, is often presented as a translation movement which was limited to the preservation of Greek knowledge; a historical account that FSTC Chairman Professor El-Gomati challenged in his talk.

The lecture he presented in a meeting of The York Society of Engineers provided an overview of the vast scientific and technological advances from the era commonly referred to as the ‘Dark Ages’. Examples of many scientific advances and inventions from the Muslim civilisations (700-1700 CE), some of which were illustrated with computer animations, were shown. The aim of the talk was to shed some light on the cultural roots of science and technology through the ages, using the Muslim world as an example. It is hoped that by highlighting such contributions, one can encourage a dialogue and see the commonality among civilisations as a response to the clash theory.

See the announcement of the lecture on the website of The York Society of Engineers (central column: “Forthcoming Events/Lectures”:
Thursday 6th December 2012: “Influence of Islamic Science”; Presenter: Prof. Mohamed El-Gomati OBE (University of York).

Further resources

• Dr Anne Maria Brennan, Queen Honours the FSTC Chairman, Professor Mohamed El-Gomati (published 30 January 2012).
• The Trustees of FSTC: Prof. Salim Al-Hassani, Prof. M. El-Gomati, Peter Fell, Ian Fenn, Mohammed Hafiz, Zeki Poyraz, In Memoriam: Peter Raymond MBES Obituary of Peter Raymond MBE, founding Trustee of The Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) (published 1^st February 2011).
• Muslim Heritage Shines at Qatar through Ancient Wisdom Exhibition:
  Professor El-Gomati and Professor Al-Hassani representing the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) in the high profile opening of the Qatar Science and Technology Park on March 16^th 2009 (published 15 April 2009).
• The Ninth Annual Ceremony Recognises the Very Best of British Muslim Achievements:
  In March 2009, at the ninth Annual Ceremony of The Muslim News Awards for Excellence, Professor Mohamed El-Gomati was awarded Fazlur Rahman Khan Award for Excellence in Engineering, Science and Technology (published 26 July 2009).
• The Clock of Civilisations:
  Presentations, 3D Animations and Discussions in the BA Festival of Science (12 September 2007); one of the speakers was Professor Mohamed El-Gomati (published 10 September 2007).
• Muslims and The Frontiers of Knowledge in the 21st CenturyS
  The Institute of Islamic Understanding in Malaysia (IKIM) organized an International Conference on the Muslims and the Frontiers of Knowledge in the 21st Century: Issues, Prospects and Challenges (Kuala Lumpur, on the 28th and 29th of July 2009). Professor Mohamed El-Gomati presented a keynote lecture in the first plenary session on Learning From the Past, Charting the Future (published 26 July 2009).

Cem Nizamoglu