Muslim Scientists Exhibition Bridges Cultures

posted on: Jul 6, 2009

Some of the world’s top Muslim scientists and their inventions were on display last week in an exhibition held at an Islamic center in Houston, Texas, where organizers aim to build cultural bridges by highlighting some of the lesser known aspects of Islamic civilization.

The exhibition, Sultans of Science: 1000 Years of Knowledge Rediscovered, is a two month long display that honors the contributions of Muslim scientists from the eighth century right through to the eighteenth, an era known as the Golden Age of the Islamic world.

The name Abbas Ibn Firnas may not be known to western science buffs but the ninth century Muslim scholar was the first man in aviation history to attempt to fly, beating the infamous Wright brothers and Charles Lindbergh.

Firnas was credited for the first piloted flight in human history as he tied himself to a feathered glider in Cordoba, Spain.

“Increasing awareness of Muslims’ contributions to the civilization and the field of learning is vital for building cultural bridges between different peoples,” said Joanne Herring King, a member of the exhibition committee.

Shedding some light on the importance of Muslim civilization will show a different view of Muslims, which King said has been “obscured in the smoke of war generated by the bad ones.”

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Al-Arabiya

Caption of Enclosed Picture:
A model of elephant clock designed by Muslim engineer al Jazari as the first clock that uses flow of water to regulate timekeeping (Courtesy of MTE).