Istanbul will host the 1001 Inventions exhibition later this year. Speaking at the Science Museum in London, Minister Kerem Kiratli of the Turkish Republic said “we welcome 1001 Inventions as part of the Istanbul European Capital City of Culture celebrations.” Considered by the media as London's most successful exhibition, the new block buster 1001 Inventions exhibition has already attracted over 300,000 visitors to its first venue, the prestigious Science Museum in London. After closing on 30th June 2010 it will begin a high profile world tour starting with Istanbul. Sponsored by the Jameel Foundation and created by the Foundation for Science Technology and Civilization (FSTC), 1001 Inventions demonstrates that for a thousand years from the seventh century onwards, exceptional scientific and technological advancements were made within Muslim civilization. Men and women of various beliefs and backgrounds worked together, building upon ideas of earlier worldwide scholars and made breakthroughs that helped pave the way for the European Renaissance. These examples are intended to inspire youth to seek achievement in the field of science and to promote cultural inter-appreciation by celebrating our shared scientific heritage. To mark the move to Istanbul, a handover ceremony took place on the 25th May 2010 at the Science Museum in London. Professor Salim Al-Hassani, chairman of FSTC and 1001 Inventions, and Lord William Waldegrave, chairman of the Science Museum, London, delivered a model of Al-Jazari's 12th century Scribe Clock to Turkish Minister Kerem Kiratli as a symbolic handover of the 1001 Inventions exhibition from London to the City of Istanbul. The announcement comes following the high profile visit of the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the 1001 Inventions exhibition earlier this year on 6th March 2010. Erdogan and his delegation of Turkish government Ministers came to London to meet the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and senior politicians. During his visit, he also took a tour of the recently unveiled exhibition 1001 Inventions, subtitled Discover The Muslim Heritage In Our World. Launched last January 21, the landmark 1001 Inventions exhibition highlights the scientific, technological and cultural heritage of the world of Islam. Since its launch, the venue has been inundated with visitors and the Museum's Director has described their latest attraction as a “blockbuster”. During his visit, the Prime Minister, accompanied by Mrs. Erdogan, several Turkish ministers and businessmen, spent 70 minutes on a tour of the gallery, guided by the Chairman of FSTC and Founder of 1001 Inventions Professor Salim Al-Hassani and philanthropist Fady Jameel. The exhibition highlights many social, scientific and technical achievements that are credited to the Muslim world, including the Turkish region, whilst also celebrating the scientific heritage of many other cultures.
