Exclusive access for educators to 1001 Inventions and Arabick Roots Exhibitions

In a special effort to inspire future generations with a journey into the Golden Age of Muslim civilization, the Museum of Islamic Art is holding exclusive viewings for educators of the 1001 Inventions and the Arabick Roots Exhibitions, before they open to the general public on October 17.

With this unique opportunity teachers will not only be the first visitors to the exhibition but will also get a chance to preview the two exhibitions and their educational qualities and relevance. In addition, accompanying educational material and information for schools’ visits will be available as an online resource on the 1001 Inventions website.

“Our ultimate objective is for these inventions, the science behind them, and the spirit of innovation to be incorporated into every classroom, and every teacher’s material,” said Ahmed Salim, Executive Director and Producer of 1001 Inventions.

MIA, Qatar Shell and 1001 Inventions have also launched a School Outreach Program to allow students to engage in education activities designed by 1001 Inventions after the two exhibitions open their doors to the public. As part of this, students will be able to re-create experiences of the scientists who were active during the peak of Muslim civilization.

Schools will have access to the 1001 Inventions Exhibition from 830 am to 100 pm on school days except Tuesday.

QMA and MIA are bringing the blockbuster exhibitions to Qatar in partnership with Qatar Shell and 1001 Inventions. “Seeking ways to inspire innovation in people is an ongoing process at Qatar Shell, because we believe human ingenuity holds the key to our modern day problems around energy and the environment,” said Wael Sawan, Executive Vice President for Qatar Shell.

“These two exhibitions will inspire young Qataris by showing them that young men and women, just like them, were able to turn their ideas into reality and influence the way the world operates today,” Sawan added.

With this initiative MIA, Qatar Shell and 1001 Inventions has reached out to schools and educational institutions under the banner “Explore our past to inspire our future,” inviting them to bring all staff, pupils and their families to experience the exhibition – a celebration of discoveries made by scholars, engineers and scientists of the 7th to 17th centuries living in Muslim civilization that have impacted on the way we live today.

“It is important for our youth to reconnect with and ascertain their heritage to enable them to go out to the world in confidence and openness,” said Mansour Al Khater, CEO of Qatar Museum Authority. “Through these two exhibitions we aim to help inspire and motivate them to pursue careers in science, engineering, medicine and the arts encouraging inquisitiveness in the world to build a better future.”

The 1001 Inventions exhibition is introduced by a screening of the educational film “1001 Inventions and The Library of Secrets,” starring Oscar winner Sir Ben Kingsley. The internationally-acclaimed educational film has won more than 20 international awards in film festivals including Cannes and New York.

“These exhibitions are a rare opportunity for the students and teachers to understand the roots of science and many of our modern day inventions,” Salim continued. “The exhibitions explain in a fun and exciting way many scientific principles and encourage children to learn while they are having fun.”

Visitors will also be able to see Arabick Roots Doha, a new display highlighting surprising connections between the scientific pioneers of Muslim Civilisation and 17th century European scientists, who collaborated to find solutions to the most pressing issues of their time.

Celebrating the extraordinary yet often forgotten scientific and cultural achievements, 1001 Inventions will be open to the public from 17 October 2012 until 12 November 2012. Arabick Roots will continue on until 19 January 2013. The 15-week celebration will feature interactive exhibitions, movies, live shows, cultural events and educational seminars. MIA will also be showcasing a display of inventions by the Stars of Science finalists.

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