Global touring exhibition from Muslim Civilisation

Sharjah Children's Reading Festival Sharjah – Arab Today Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Director of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), has announced that from 15 April to 15 May Sharjah will host a ‘1001 Inventions’ exhibition which highlights a thousand years of scientific and cultural achievements during the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation.
The leading exhibition will be hosted for the first time in Sharjah as part of the celebration of the city’s selection as a Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014. It forms part of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, which will begin on 15th of April at Expo Centre Sharjah.

Al Ameri said, "Hosting this 1001 Inventions groundbreaking exhibition is in line with the directive of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, that the city should host special events that highlight Muslim Civilisation’s culture and its influential role in the world. The 1001 Inventions exhibition that will be hosted in Sharjah highlights a thousand years of contributions from inspirational men and women that helped create the foundations of our modern world."
Al Ameri added, "1001 Inventions exhibitions have achieved resounding success when exhibited in other cities such as in London, Istanbul, New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Kuala Lumpur and Jeddah."

Ahmed Salim, Producer and Director of ‘1001 Inventions’, said: “The exhibition that will be hosted in Sharjah is one of the largest we have ever produced. It highlights a thousand years of the achievements from the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation, during which scientists of various faiths worked together, building upon the knowledge of ancient civilisations to make groundbreaking advances in the many fields such as medicine, engineering, astronomy and architecture. These advances helped pave the way for the European Renaissance and their breakthroughs have left their marks on our lives today."

Hind Lenaid, Head of Exhibitions at SIBF and General Coordinator of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, said, "Hosting this ‘1001 Inventions’ exhibition as part of the sixth Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival is a major development in the history of the Festival due to its large scale, its global fame and its prospects for attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors of different ages from the UAE and abroad."

She said entry to this ‘1001 Inventions’ exhibition will be free of charge. It will open to the public on the 15th of April, coinciding with the launch of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, and will continue until the 15th of May 2014.
Lenaid added that the one-month event will encompass many educational and entertainment activities including films suitable for all the family. These introduce the most important inventions and discoveries in an interactive and fun manner, encouraging children to take those inventors and discoverers as role models.

This ‘1001 Inventions’ exhibition features a diverse range of exhibits to enthrall visitors and enrich their knowledge, including interactive displays, electronic games and models that bring to life historic role models from Muslim Civilisation.
The exhibits will be showcased at eight main stands, each of which highlights achievements and discoveries in a certain field - such as engineering, agriculture, medicine and surgery, geography and marine science, astronomy, optics, and education.

An introductory film, ‘1001 Inventions and the Library of Secrets’, starring the Oscar-winning Sir Ben Kingsley will be screened during the exhibition. Winner of 27 international awards, the film reflects the rich scientific and cultural heritage left by Muslim Civilisation for today's generations. The 12-mintue film tells the story of three students who visit a library to research how the modern world has been influenced by the Dark Ages. They meet the Librarian, who guides them on a journey of discovery about the ancient Golden Age and its pioneering inventors and scientists.

The exhibition is created by the UK based organization ‘1001 Inventions’ which works with a network of high profile international partners and the world’s leading academics to produce world-class experiences, blockbuster interactive exhibits, short feature films, live shows, books and classroom learning materials that are being used by hundreds of thousands of educators around the world.
Ahmed Salim noted that ‘1001 Inventions’ has engaged with more than 70 million people around the world through its productions and more than 4 million people have visited ‘1001 Inventions’ exhibitions and shows.
He further added “by celebrating the creative golden age of Muslim Civilisation, ‘1001 Inventions’ aims to inspire ambition in people to find solutions to the grand societal challenges of today, and a build better future for the World.”
The exhibits and educational materials will be available in both English and Arabic.