Bringing life to Muslim Heritage Discover 1000 years of missing history and explore the fascinating Muslim contribution to present day Science, Technology, Arts and Civilisation.

Islamic Art in Poland: The Kornik Castle The article is about the famous Kornik Castle near Poznan, in Poland which has many features inspired by Islamic art and architecture. Outlining the reasons of this influence, Mrs Latour-Abdalla describes the many aspects of Islamic art, architecture and learning featured in this monument until today. Also The Art of Calligraphy in the Ottoman Empire A Discovery in Architecture: 15th Century Islamic Architecture Presages 20th Century Mathematics Sinan’s Acoustical Technology The Seljuk Face of Anatolia: Aspects of the Social and Intellectual History of Seljuk Architecture Sheikh Zayed Great Mosque in Abu Dhabi: Islamic Architecture in the 21st Century

Al-Jazari's Third Water-Raising Device: Analysis of its Mathematical and Mechanical Principles Five pumps or water-raising machines are described by al-Jazari in his monumental treatise of mechanics Al-Jami' bayn al-‘ilm wa 'l-‘amal al-nafi' fi sina'at al-hiyal (A Compendium on the Theory and Useful Practice of the Mechanical Arts). The following long article is a detailed study of the third of these water-raising devices. The study presents a detailed analysis of the mathematical and mechanical principles of this sophisticated machine and explains its functioning. Further, the various components of the pump are reconstructed via computer assisted design. A profusion of 3D graphics and 3D animations show the device in different angles and helps in viewing it in operational mode. Also Automation and Robotics in Muslim Heritage: The Cultural Roots of al-Jazari's Mechanical Systems 800 Years Later: In Memory of Al-Jazari, A Genius Mechanical Engineer Al-Jazari: 800 Years After Overview on al-Jazari and his Mechanical Devices An 800 Years Old Ancestor: Today’s Science of Robotics and al-Jazari Al-Jazari’s Castle Water Clock: Analysis of its Components and Functioning

Our Arab Heritage in the Celestial Vault In Arabic culture, as in other civilisations, the cultural dimension of the history of astronomy appears in part in the meanings and origins of star and constellation names. This nomenclature was shaped by cultural symbols transmitted across the centuries. The article describes some examples of the popular Arabic culture that lies behind the names of several stars and constellations. Also Illustrious Names in the Heavens: Arabic and Islamic Names of the Moon Craters "Three Times Greater than Venus": Ibn Ridhwan's Observation of Supernova 1006 Seeking Seamless Scientific Wonders: Review of Emilie Savage-Smith's Work Arabic Star Names: A Treasure of Knowledge Shared by the World The Armillary Sphere: A Concentrate of Knowledge in Islamic Astronomy Arabic Eclipse Records Bring Light to Scientific Analysis of the Earth's Rotation

Ecology in Muslim Heritage: Treatises on Environmental Pollution up to the End of 13th Cen. Several Arabic treatises dating from the 9th through the 13th century deal with environmental pollution. They cover subjects like air and water contamination, solid waste mishandling and environmental assessments of certain localities. The authors of these texts are well known scholars and physicians: al-Kindi, Qusta b. Luqa, al-Razi, Ibn al-Jazzar, al-Tamimi, Abu Sahl al-Masihi, Ibn Sina, Ali b. Ridhwan, Ibn Jumay‘, Ya‘qub al-Isra' ili, Abdullatif al-Baghdadi, Ibn al-Quff and Ibn al-Nafis. The article surveys this important corpus of environmental ecology and summarizes its contents. Also Gardens, Nature and Conservation in Islam Abbasid Gardens in Baghdad and Samarra Contribution of Ibn Sina to the development of Earth Sciences The Secret Gardens of Sana'a Islamic Aesthetics, Gardens and Nature Ecology in Muslim Heritage: A History of the Hima Conservation System

Ecology in Muslim Heritage: A History of the Hima Conservation System A hima is a reserved pasture, where trees and grazing lands are protected from indiscriminate harvest on a temporary or permanent basis. It existed in the Middle East before Islam; but it was treated as a private reserve for powerful chieftains. This institution knew a renaissance in the last decades, when major political, economical and social changes took place in the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula. The paper reviews the changes that have taken place in Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen with regard to the hima. Also Gardens of Islam Gardens, Nature and Conservation in Islam Abbasid Gardens in Baghdad and Samarra Contribution of Ibn Sina to the development of Earth Sciences The Secret Gardens of Sana'a Islamic Aesthetics, Gardens and Nature

Sheikh Zayed Great Mosque in Abu Dhabi: Islamic Architecture in the 21st Century A splendid mosque was erected recently at Abu Dhabi. Named after the late Sheikh Zayed al-Nahyan, the Mosque was opened at the end of 2007 to emerge as one of the ten major mosques of Islam with a total capacity of 40,000 worshippers. It proved to be a gigantic project which took twelve years to complete, and has already achieved three entries into the Guinness Book of World Records with the largest carpet, the biggest chandelier as well as the largest dome of its kind in the world. Bringing classical Islamic architecture to a summit of refinement, and providing all the contemporary commodities, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is an outstanding example of Islamic architecture in the 21st century. Also The Mosque of Cordoba Qarawiyin Mosque Ibn Tulun Mosque The Great Ummayad Mosque Sultan Ahmet Cami or Blue Mosque Al-Hakim Mosque, Cairo (990-1012)

Ahmad Ibn Fadhlan in Northern Europe: A Survey of his Account of Russian Vikings in the 10th Century One of the earliest detailed descriptions of Northern Europe is reported in the account written by the Arab Muslim writer and traveler Ahmad Ibn Fadhlan, who was sent in 921 CE as the secretary to an ambassador from the Abbasid Caliph al-Muqtadir from Baghdad to the Volga Bulgars by the Black Sea and the Caspian. Ibn Fadhlan's travel account was the source of inspiration to many fictional narratives in Western literature and art, such as the the well known novel Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton, filmed as The 13th Warrior directed in 1999 by John McTiernan, and the film Beowulf, released in November 2007. Also The Travels of Ibn Fadlan The Travels of Ibn Jubair Al-Ramhormuzi and the Wonders of India Ibn Battuta and the 14th Century Muslim World Scandinavia and Ibn Fadlan Ibn Battuta

The Self Changing Fountain of Banu Musa bin Shakir Amongst the mechanical devices described by the Banu Musa Brothers in their book of mechanics Kitab al-hiyal, seven models present a variety of sophisticated fountains. This article analyses the geometric and physical principles lying behind these mechanical devices, with the help of basic line drawings and 3D computer generated representation. Also Water Management and Hydraulic Technology Water management in Valencia Introduction of Wind Power Pioneers of Automatic Control Systems The Mechanics of Banu Musa in the Light of Modern System and Control Engineering 800 Years Later: In Memory of Al-Jazari, A Genius Mechanical Engineer

Al-Jazari’s Castle Water Clock: Analysis of its Components and Functioning The first machine described by al-Jazari in his famous treatise of mechanics Al-Jami‘ bayn al-‘ilm wa 'l-‘amal al-nafi‘ fi sina‘at al-hiyal (A Compendium on the Theory and Useful Practice of the Mechanical Arts) is a monumental water clock known as the castle clock. Also Al-Jazari - the Mechanical Genius The Machines of Al-Jazari and Taqi Al-Din Automation and Robotics in Muslim Heritage: The Cultural Roots of al-Jazari's Mechanical Systems 800 Years Later: In Memory of Al-Jazari, A Genius Mechanical Engineer Overview on al-Jazari and his Mechanical Devices An 800 Years Old Ancestor: Today’s Science of Robotics and al-Jazari

Tentative Global Timeline of Contacts between the World of Islam and Western Europe: 7th -20th Cent. The following timeline presents a survey of Muslim presence in Europe from the 7th century CE until the 20th century. It lists the various and different contacts that shaped the relations of Muslims with Western Europe. Also Contrast between Islamic and Western Science Islam as the Impetus of Scientific Advance Multi-ethnic Science Community with Islam How Islam Inspired Scientific Advance Scientific Contacts and Influences Between the Islamic World and Europe: The Case of Astronomy

Bringing to Life the Islamic History of Europe: A Video Documentary Testimony The video documentary produced by the BBC in 2005 An Islamic History of Europe, by the famous TV presenter Rageh Omaar (who also covered the American invasion of Iraq), reveals the surprising hidden story of Europe's Islamic past. Also Architecture of Muslim Spain and North Africa. Al-Hambra Palace and the river of paradise Spain's Islamic Legacy Sicily under Islamic Rule Muslims in Norman Sicily Andalusia’s New Golden Pottery

Overview on al-Jazari and his Mechanical Devices In this article, Professor Yavuz Unat, a known historian of science from Ankara University, draws a general survey on al-Jazari and his treatise. He describes some of his machines and points out the numerous technological innovations brought about by al-Jazari in their design and physical principles. Also Al-Jazari - the Mechanical Genius The Machines of Al-Jazari and Taqi Al-Din Automation and Robotics in Muslim Heritage: The Cultural Roots of al-Jazari's Mechanical Systems 800 Years Later: In Memory of Al-Jazari, A Genius Mechanical Engineer Al-Jazari: 800 Years After An 800 Years Old Ancestor: Today’s Science of Robotics and al-Jazari

An 800 Years Old Ancestor: Today’s Science of Robotics and al-Jazari Introducing al-Jazari's ancestry to modern cybernetics and robotics science, Prof. Toygar Akman narrates in this testimony article his own discovery of the work of the great 13th century Muslim scholar. He shows further how al-Jazari's mechanical achievements laid the ground to a proto science of robotics avant la lettre. Also Al-Jazari - the Mechanical Genius The Machines of Al-Jazari and Taqi Al-Din Automation and Robotics in Muslim Heritage: The Cultural Roots of al-Jazari's Mechanical Systems 800 Years Later: In Memory of Al-Jazari, A Genius Mechanical Engineer Al-Jazari: 800 Years After

Arabic Eclipse Records Bring Light to Scientific Analysis of the Earth's Rotation A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the night of Wednesday, February 20/21, 2008. The entire event is visible from large parts of our globe. On this occasion, we attract the attention of our readers to the historic contribution of the astronomers that worked in the Muslim lands in the study of such spectacular astronomical events. By analysing the eclipse records let by Arab and Muslim scholars of the past, the scientists today have drawn from them ground breaking results that help them in determining secular changes in the Earth's rotation. Also Precious Records of Eclipses in Muslim Astronomy and History Illustrious Names in the Heavens: Arabic and Islamic Names of the Moon Craters "Three Times Greater than Venus": Ibn Ridhwan's Observation of Supernova 1006 Arabic Star Names: A Treasure of Knowledge Shared by the World The Armillary Sphere: A Concentrate of Knowledge in Islamic Astronomy

Nasuh Al-Matrakî, A Noteworthy Ottoman Artist-Mathematician of the Sixteenth Century Matrakci Nasuh was a famous Ottoman polymath, writer and knight who produced important books in several fields. He made contributions in the fields of mathematics, geography, history and calligraphy. He also invented a military lawn game called "Matrak", a kind of animation of battle. Also Piri Reis maps America Better Directions at Sea: The Piri Reis Innovation Turkish Contributions to Islamic Geography Ottoman Maritime Arsenals And Shipbuilding Technology In The 16th And 17th Centuries Mapping and Picturing: Maps as Records of History

Credo of an Eminent Scholar: Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu's Lecture in Padua This article reproduces the lecture pronounced by Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, on the occasion of the presentation to him of the title of Doctorate honoris causa by the University of Padua in Italy on 11 December 2006. Also Aspects of Influence of Muslim Science on the West The Role of Sicily in the transfer of Islamic Science to the West The Role of the Crusades in the transfer of Islamic science to the West The Impact of Translations of Muslim Sciences on the West Transfer of Islamic Technology to the West The Arabic Sources of Jordanus de Nemore

Automation and Robotics in Muslim Heritage: The Cultural Roots of al-Jazari's Mechanical Systems This short paper introduces a longer essay by Prof. Gunalan Nadarajan, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State University. The essay draws on the work of al-Jazari, the famous 13th century Islamic scholar, engineer and scientist. Also Al-Jazari - the Mechanical Genius A review of Early Muslim Control Engineering The Machines of Al-Jazari and Taqi Al-Din Pioneers of Automatic Control Systems When Ridhwan al-Sa’ati Anteceded Big Ben by More than Six Centuries

The Seljuk Face of Anatolia: Aspects of the Social and Intellectual History of Seljuk Architecture This article deals with the Seljuk Anatolian architecture and art. The art of the Seljuk sultans showed much interest in public buildings such as caravanserais, schools and hospitals. This architecture was based on strong religious and cultural sources of inspiration that nourished the works of architects, artists and artisans. Also Architecture Under Seljuk Patronage (1038-1327) The Seljuk Kiosk Mosque and General Plan The Seljuk Madrassa The Seljuk Caravanserai (the Khan) Karatay Madrasa, Konya 1252

Health in the Ottoman Empire: A Collective Achievement in the History of Ottoman Medicine This is a review of Health in the Ottomans (Osmanlilarda Saglik), a two-volume book concerning Ottoman medical history. The book is a brilliant achievement aiming at the reconstruction of the main aspects of the the developments and accomplishments of medical sciences under the Ottomans. Also Health Protection in Islam Educating Ottoman Doctors The Earliest Paediatric Surgical Atlas: Cerrahiye-i Ilhaniye Ethical Aspects of Ottoman Surgical Practice Suleymaniye Medical Madrasa Famous Figures of the Modern Turkish Medical School

Arabic Star Names: A Treasure of Knowledge Shared by the World Many of the prominent stars known today are of Arabic origin as they bear names given to them during the golden age of Islamic astronomy. A major contribution in this field is that of al-Sufi (10th century). Presenting shortly the historical context of the old nomenclature of Arabic star names, the article contains also a list of 165 stars known by Arabic names. Also Modelling the Stars Al-Sufi (903-986) Precious Records of Eclipses in Muslim Astronomy and History Illustrious Names in the Heavens: Arabic and Islamic Names of the Moon Craters "Three Times Greater than Venus": Ibn Ridhwan's Observation of Supernova 1006

Seeking Seamless Scientific Wonders: Review of Emilie Savage-Smith's Work Najma Kazi reviews some salient aspects of Emilie Savage-Smith's work. Emilie Savage-Smith, who is a Professor of History of Science at the Oriental Institute (Oxford University), is an internationally recognised authority on the History of Islamic Science, and is a key figure within a small band of historians that are spearheading the discovery of Muslim Heritage and its impact on civilisation. Also An overview of Muslim Astronomers 1000 years of missing Astronomy The Muslim Pioneers of Astronomy Modelling the Stars

"Three Times Greater than Venus": Ibn Ridhwan's Observation of Supernova 1006 1001 years ago, an extraordinary astronomical event occurred in the sky: the most intense supernova ever witnessed and recorded by human beings appeared in the Earth's sky in the year 1006 CE. The blast was seen from Europe to China. One of the witnesses who saw it was a young man from Cairo, Ali ibn Ridwan, then 18 years old. Later on, he produced one of the most significant records about this astronomical event. Nowadays, astronomers scrutinize his record to collect information about the 1006 supernova. Also 1000 years of missing Astronomy The Muslim Pioneers of Astronomy Muslims and the Moon Modelling the Stars Observatories In Islam

A Wealth of Scholarship: Recent Publications in Islamic Art, Culture and History This is a general review of some 23 recent publications (books, films, and articles) on various aspects of Islamic culture, history and civilisation. The survey concentrates on titles related to three categories: art and architecture, Islamic history and culture and Islam-Europe exchanges in medieval times. Also Introduction to Muslim Art and Ornaments Architecture of Early Islam (622-661) Introduction to Islamic Architecture Islamic Art as a Means of Cultural Exchange How Islam Created the Modern World

Famous Figures of the Modern Turkish Medical School To throw light on famous figures of the Turkish modern medical school, this article introduces a set of nine posters on the contribution of eight late Ottoman and early Turkish physicians (whose careers spanned from the middle of the 19th century until the mid-20th century). Also The Classification of Mental Diseases in the Ottoman Medical Manuscripts Educating Ottoman Doctors The Earliest Paediatric Surgical Atlas: Cerrahiye-i Ilhaniye Ethical Aspects of Ottoman Surgical Practice Selected Gleanings from the History of Islamic Medicine

Illustrious Names in the Heavens: Arabic and Islamic Names of the Moon Craters 24 craters of the Moon bear names of Arabic and Islamic origin. In majority, these names are those of famous scholars of Islamic civilisation. We present below a list of those crater-names on the Moon, with their geographical coordinates and biographical sketches on the scholars thus honoured and immortalized. Also The Legacy of Ulugh Beg Al-Khawarizmi (780 - 850 CE) Al-Biruni Al-Battani (d. 929) Al-Farghani (ca. 860)

Hindiba: A Drug for Cancer Treatment in Muslim Heritage Hindiba is a plant of Middle Eastern lands. Its therapeutic value as a drug for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. The following detailed study by Professor Nil Sari investigates the historical and medical aspects of the hindiba in Islamic and Ottoman Turkish medical traditions. Also Health Protection in Islam Muslim Contribution to Cosmetics Ibn Al-Nafis and Vinegar Ethical Aspects of Ottoman Surgical Practice Al-Razi on Smallpox and Measles

Echos of What Lies Behind the 'Ocean of Fogs' in Muslim Historical Narratives This article is an edited version of the article originally written by the late Professor Mohammed Hamidullah, "Muslim Discovery of America before Columbus", Journal of the Muslim Students' Association of the United States and Canada. It accounts in part for the ongoing debate about a possible discovery of America before Columbus. Also Mapping the World Piri Reis maps America Earliest maps of America The Oldest Map of Japan Drawn by Mahmud of Kashgar Better Directions at Sea: The Piri Reis Innovation

Deciphering Egyptian Hieroglyphs in Muslim Heritage The article surveys some results of Dr. Okasha El Daly's exciting discoveries about the precedence of Muslim scholars of the golden age of Islamic culture in deciphering the hieroglyphs of Ancient Egypt. This ground breaking achievement was attributed until recently exclusively to Europeans scholars, and especially to Champollion. Also A Review on Muslim Historians Arabic Study of Ancient Egypt Early Muslim Historians Historians in North Africa and Spain Historians of Egypt Late Muslim Historians