FSTC's Contribution to the Intercultural Dialogue at the General Assembly of the United Nations
1. The UN High-Level Meeting of Inter-Faith Dialogue
In 12-13 November 2008 the United Nations held in New York a high-level meeting of the General Assembly to promote inter-faith dialogue (High level meeting on the culture of peace). The meeting was marked by the active participation of the heads of state and senior officials of more than 75 Member States who came together to support mutual tolerance, respect and understanding. This high-level meeting comes in the course of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2010), the General Assembly decided in its resolution 62/90 (December 2007) to hold a meeting with civil society on inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace.
The initiative of inter-faith dialogue was launched by King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia in Madrid in July 2008 (click here to read the Madrid Declaration). This initiative has come at a time when the need for dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations has never been greater. In this context, the high-level meeting in New York has brought together people who might not otherwise have a chance to interact. Along with other initiatives, it will contribute to building a more harmonious world.
At the end of the high-level meeting, the UN Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon, read a declaration in which The General Assembly of the UN has sent a strong message of tolerance to the world.
"At the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, the General Assembly convened a plenary high level meeting during its sixty-third session on 12 and 13 November 2008 under item 45 culture of peace.
The meeting reaffirmed the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The meeting further recalled that all States have pledged themselves under the Charter to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, including freedoms of belief and expression, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.
Concerned about serious instances of intolerance, discrimination, hatred expressions, and harassment of minority religious communities of all faiths, participating states underlined the importance of promoting dialogue, understanding, and tolerance among human beings, as well as respect for all their diverse religions, cultures and beliefs.
Participating states affirmed their rejection of the use of religion to justify the killing of innocent people and actions of terrorism, violence and coercion, which directly contradict the commitment of all religions to peace, justice and equality.
Taking note of the initiative of the King of Saudi Arabia and the World Conference on Dialogue held in Madrid between 16 and 18 July 2008 under his patronage and graciously hosted by the King and Government of Spain, the General Assembly reiterated its call for promoting a culture of tolerance and mutual understanding through dialogue, and supporting the initiatives of religious leaders, civil society, and states seeking to entrench the culture of peace, understanding, tolerance, and respect for human rights among the proponents of various faiths, cultures, and civilizations.
Participating states expressed their commitment to strengthening and supporting existing mechanisms within the United Nations for promoting tolerance and human rights, preserving the institution of the family, protecting the environment, spreading education, eradicating poverty, and fighting drug abuse, crime and terrorism, noting the positive role of religions, beliefs and moral humanitarian principles in tackling these challenges".
3. Multi-Faith Scientists in Islamic Civilization
The Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) was associated with the high-level meeting in New York for which the Foundation organised a display: Multi-Faith Scientists in Islamic Civilization and a conference on The Strategic importance of Muslim Heritage in our World and its impact on Diplomatic, Educational and Socio-economic Developments. Both events were hosted in the United Nations Building in New York in 12-14 November 2008. Aimed at demonstrating Religious Dialogue in Action throughout Islamic Civilization, they were attended by a large number of VIPs, representatives of countries from all over the world and by the diplomatic delegates at the UN.
The display and the conference were developed by the FSTC, and sponsored by its following partners: Al-Aghar Group, Abdul Latif Jameel Community Services Programs, Dar Al-Hekmah College and Layan Cultural Foundation.
The conference Strategic importance of Muslim Heritage in our World and its impact on Diplomatic, Educational and Socio-economic Developments was honoured by two lectures presented by Professor Salim Al-Hassani, Chairman of FSTC, and Dr Suhair Qurashi, Dean of Dar Al-Hekmah College in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
4. Dynamic Interaction of Faiths within the Islamic Civilisation
Designed to accompany the Dialogue conference at the UN during 13-14 November, the display on the Multi-Faith Scientists in the Islamic civilization visited by representatives of countries, ministers, ambassadors, academics, researchers, and journalists, both Arabs, Muslims and from Europe, America, Asia and Africa.
The aim of this display was to enrich this conference and convey message of cooperation and friendship between all scientists and scholars from all faiths during the whole period of Islamic civilization and their spread over the entire Muslim world. The take-away message is that Muslims and non Muslims worked side by side to develop and build their society without prejudice of religion, race or culture.
The display also showed some examples of Muslim inventions which have been in use up until the present day. Hence, the overall message also incorporates the notion that science, technology and contributions to the betterment of society and environment were considered part of religious obligation.
The display contained:
1. Nine curved panels with graphics and text on both sides. Three of those panels, which held a central place in the display, were designed especially for the New York events. They contained:
The list of 368 names of multi-faith scientists representing the scientific community of Islamic civilisation side by side and showing the dynamic interaction of faiths in the production of knowledge within the world of Islam, by Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sabians, Zoroastrians and Hindus. The list comprised only mathematicians, astronomers, physicians, translators, geographers, philosophers and historians.
A Timeline of Non-Muslim Scholars in Islamic Civilisation (7th-16th centuries, from the beginning of the Umayyad Caliphate to the Ottoman Empire).
A special panel was dedicated to three eminent representatives of non Muslim scholars who flourished in Islamic civilisation: Thabit ibn Qurra, Qusta Ibn Luqa and Musa Ibn Maymun, a Sabian, a Christian, and a Jew, in chronological order.
2. A static replica model of the famous clock called "the Elephant Clock of Civilisations". The original clock was designed and constructed by Al-Jazari, a Muslim inventor, (South Turkey/North Syria) in 1206. The main feature of this clock is that it is built from parts celebrating the cooperation of and accumulation of knowledge from various civilisations, as its components belong to several cultural areas: The elephant (Indian), Float (Greek), Dragons (Chinese), Phoenix (Egyptian) and Turbaned Robots (Muslim). This clock was recently exhibited at the UK House of Parliament attracting enormous attention (see 1001 Inventions at UK Houses of Parliament and Muslim Heritage in our World: Social Cohesion.
3. An explanatory video and small related model devices accompanied the "Elephant Clock".
On the margin of the display and the conference, several hundred copies of the book 1001inventions: Muslim Heritage in our World (Manchester: FSTC, 2006) were distributed to and purchased by the visitors and attendees.
To view the photos taken during the display and the conference, see this Album.
Related Articles: UK Prime Minister receives 1001 Inventions bookby: FSTC Limited The Saudi Ambassador, HRH Mohammed bin Talal, presented the 1001 inventions book to the UK Prime Minister as a gift at the labour Party conference on Wednesday 27 September 06.
Muslim Heritage in the Knowledge-Economy Conference in Jeddahby: FSTC Limited During "The First Regional Conference on the Knowledge Economy" in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, January 12-13, 2008, attended by over 300 experts and professionals as well as several VIPs, Professor Salim Al-Hassani delivered a key note speech in which he presented the touring exhibition "1001 Inventions" and the work undertaken by the Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) to promote Muslim Heritage.
Strategic Alliance for a World-wide Roll-out of 1001 Inventions Exhibitionby: FSTC Limited 1001 Inventions today unveiled an ambitious plan for a global expansion of its touring exhibition. Through the strategic support of Abdul Latif Jameel Company, the groundbreaking educational initiative exploring historical Muslim contributions to science and technology is set to embark upon a worldwide roll-out.
Strategic Alliance for a World-wide Roll-out of 1001 Inventions Exhibitionby: FSTC Limited 1001 Inventions today unveiled an ambitious plan for a global expansion of its touring exhibition. Through the strategic support of Abdul Latif Jameel Company (ALJ), the ground breaking educational initiative exploring historical Muslim contributions to science and technology is set to embark upon a worldwide roll-out.
Cultural Understanding through Science Projectby: FSTC Limited Cultural Understanding is "Recognising that modern science has its roots in many different societies and cultures, and draws on a variety of valid approaches to scientific practice." ASE has been working with the Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation and with support from QCA to develop, trial and evaluate teaching materials to help teachers with this new part of the Programme of Study.
Muslim Heritage in Our World: Social Cohesion by: FSTC Limited London Conference tackles 1000 years of amnesia of Muslim science and technology Wednesday 15th October, 2.30pm, Hoare Memorial Hall, Church House, Westminster.
1001 Inventions at UK Houses of Parliamentby: FSTC Limited 1001 Inventions have been given the privilege of exhibiting at the Houses of Parliament, from 13th-17th October 2008.
This taster exhibition will showcase the likes of Al-Jazari's Elephant Clock and Scribe Clock as well as his famous water pump raising machine.
Text of the Lecture of Professor Roshdi Rashed in the Conference Muslim Heritage in our World: Social Cohesion marking the 1001 Inventions Exhibition at the House of Parliament, 15th of October 2008, Church House, London, UK.
Muslim Heritage in our World: Social Cohesion (1001 Inventions in UK Parliament)by: FSTC Limited Between 13 and 17 October 2008, the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) organised two major events in London: a scaled down version of the "1001 Inventions Exhibition" at the House of Parliament (13-17 October) and a conference on "Muslim Heritage in our World: Social Cohesion" at Hoare Memorial Hall, Church House, Westminster (15 October 2008). Here follows a short report on the conference illustrated with photos from both events.
