On Wednesday 28th November 2012, Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation in London organised a public lecture on The Critical Edition of Manuscripts: Past, Present and Future, delivered by Professor Qasim Al-Samarrai. The lecture presented an insightful view on the history of the critical edition of manuscripts, the required qualifications for an editor, the history of editing Arabic works by orientalists, and the history of printing. The lecture was followed by a very interesting discussion on the topic. At the end of the event, the new website of Al-Furqan Foundation was launched. The website provides visitors with access to the work of Al-Furqan and its centres.

The important lecture presented by Professor Salim Al-Hassani at the 15th Euro-Asian Economic Forum held in Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey in April 2012 addressed an assembly of eminent political representatives of fifty countries. His focus was on the roots of science as a fundamental fact or in intercultural respect and world peace. Based on the rich experience of FSTC and its mission, Professor Al-Hassani endeavoured to show how the edutainment, academic and electronic works and projects launched and developed by FSTC fill a gap of 1000 years of amnesia and rehabilitates a true view of history in which all nations, communities and cultures participated. His plea is best represented by the call he launched at the end of the lecture to the leaders of the countries participating in this summit "to give a serious thought to using the cultural roots of science and sports to enhance respect and appreciation between their peoples."

Kristiane Backer conducted an interview with Professor Salim Al-Hassani, founder of "1001 Inventions" and President of The Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) in the TV Chat Show Matters of Faith on Ebru TV. The interview was diffused by "Matters of Faith" team on Youtube on 15 October 2010. We present the interview in two parts for the benefit of our readers, with information on the journalist and her work

Professor Mohamed El-Gomati, recently appointed Chairman of the Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation (FSTC), has been made an OBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the New Year's Honours List for 2012. Professor El-Gomati, a scientist and lecturer on science in the Islamic civilisation, has been a trustee and Vice-Chairman of FSTC for many years. He is an advisor to a number of UK Universities and charities and speaks on the contribution of Muslims in Science, Technology and Civilisation. We present hereafter a short note on this deserved distinction.