United Nations Celebrates
United Nations tribute to Ibn Al-Haytham and 1001 Inventions film screening
Photos © Alison Bert
International Year of Light celebration and tribute to Ibn Al-Haytham held at UN in New York
New York, 2 February 2016: The United Nations hosted today an event to celebrate the International Year of Light (IYL2015) with a special 1001 Inventions tribute to the remarkable 11th century scientist Ibn al-Haytham. The celebration was organised as a side event to the 2016 ECOSOC Youth Forum held at the United Nations headquarters on February 1-2.
Distinguished representatives of UN delegations and international organisations addressed the nearly three hundred event participants. Those included H.E. Ambassador Abdallah Y. Al-Mouallimi, Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN, Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi , UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ms. Marie-Paule Roudil, Director of UNESCO Office in New York and Ms. Nihal Saad, Chief of Cabinet and Spokesperson for the High-Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.
Photo © Alison Bert
In his opening remarks Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi , UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, said:
“I commend the work of 1001 Inventions in presenting the fascinating story of Ibn al-Haytham. The achievements of Ibn al-Haytham and his peers serve as an inspiration to youth as they take action to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Ms. Elizabeth A. Rogan, Chief Executive Officer of the USA-based Optical Society (OSA) also addressed the audience highlighting how every day around the world, optical technologies help improve the quality of life – from powering cutting-edge surgeries to generating clean energy and how the science of light impacts nearly every facet of our modern economy.
A key part of the celebration was the special tribute to the 11th century scientist Ibn al-Haytham with screening of legendary actor Omar Sharif’s final film “1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham”. Also throughout the event speakers reiterated Ibn al-Haytham’s seminal contributions to the understanding of vision, optics and light.
Ahmed Salim, Producer and Director of 1001 Inventions, said:
“The United Nations proclaimed International Year of light commemorated a number of important milestones in the history of the science of light, most notably approximately 1000 years since the great works on optics by the pioneering scientist Ibn al-Haytham. As a Founding Partner of the International Year of Light we are delighted to organise, with distinguished partners from the international community, the first ever tribute to Ibn al-Haytham at the United Nations.”
Photo © Alison Bert
Hanan Dowidar, 1001 Inventions Head of Strategic Partnerships, said:
It is particularly important that this event is organised as part of the ECOSOC Youth Forum. One of the key aims of celebrating the Year of Light with a special tribute to Ibn al-Haytham at the United Nations today is to inspire youth to rise up to the challenges of the 21st century. The story of Ibn al-Haytham, who lived during the golden age of Muslim civilisation that stretched from Spain to China, also offers a unique opportunity to highlight to young people the importance of intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding and respect.”
The side event also presented an interesting platform for young people and delegations attending the Youth Forum, as well as representatives from Permanent Missions to the UN, NGOs and the media to learn about the central role of light and light-based technologies in promoting sustainable development and providing solutions to global challenges.
In 2015, the global educational campaign “1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham” engaged 25 million people around the world. The campaign will continue to reach out to the public through a National Geographic children’s book on Ibn al-Haytham, the short film staring legendary actor Omar Sharif, a music album and a music video based on the film by international acclaimed musician Sami Yusuf, in addition to interactive exhibits, hands-on workshops and learning materials.
Photo © Alison Bert
About the ECOSOC Youth Forum
The forum discusses ways in which young people can play an active role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It will also address how the youth can best communicate on the Agenda, bringing on board the innovative use of social media and communication tools.
The Youth Forum brings young leaders from around the world to the UN Headquarters in New York. It is a platform for youth to engage in dialogue with Member States and contribute to policy formulation on global economic, social and environmental issues.
About 1001 Inventions
1001 Inventions is an award-winning, British based organization that creates international educational campaigns and engaging transmedia productions aiming to raise awareness of the contributions to science, technology and culture from the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation.
Over the last five years, 1001 Inventions has engaged with over 200 million people across the globe. The organization works with a network of international partners, including UNESCO, and leading academics to produce interactive exhibits, short films, live shows, books and classroom learning materials that are being used by hundreds of thousands of educators around the world.
1001 Inventions is a founding partner of the United Nation’s proclaimed International Year of Light 2015.
About International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies
The International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies (IYL 2015) is a global initiative adopted by the United Nations (A/RES/68/221) to raise awareness of how optical technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to worldwide challenges in energy, education, agriculture, communications and health. With UNESCO as lead agency, IYL 2015 programs promote improved public and political understanding of the central role of light in the modern world while also celebrating noteworthy anniversaries in 2015—from the first studies of optics 1,000 years ago to discoveries in optical communications that power the Internet today.
Photos © Alison Bert
Movie Trailer – The Album
Music Video – The Book
Learning Materials
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“At the UN, the legacy of Ibn Al-Haytham inspires young people” by By Alison Bert, DMA
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Rahma Ahmed of Staten Island says she is passionate about science but never gets the full story at school. None of the scientists in her textbooks are from the Middle East, for example. So the daughter of Egyptian parents penned a question in her notebook while sitting in the back of a large auditorium at the UN headquarters in New York. She was one of nearly 300 to attend an event hosted by the United Nations to celebrate the International Year of Light (IYL2015). The celebration – a side event to the 2016 ECOSOC Youth Forum – centered on a tribute to the 11th-century scientist Ibn al-Haytham by the international educational organization 1001 Inventions. Al-Haytham lived during the epoch dubbed by historians as the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization, which spanned from Spain to China and included extraordinary scientists and scholars of various cultures and faiths. His story was used to show the importance of education and intercultural dialogue.
www.elsevier.com/connect/at-the-un-the-legacy-of-ibn-al-haytham-inspires-young-people
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www.1001inventions.com/IbnAlhaythamDayLondon
Muscat Festival Celebrates year of light with “1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham”
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The organising committee of the Muscat Festival 2016announced that it will host, from 14 January to 13 February, a new 1001 Inventions production ‘Ibn Al-Haytham: A Journey of Science from Darkness into Light&rsquo celebrating 11th century scientist Al-Hassan Ibn al-Haytham and his work on optics.
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“Ibn Al-Haytham: A Journey of Science from Darkness into Light” to showcase at Al-Amerat Park during Muscat Festival”
The organising committee of the Muscat Festival 2016 announced that it will host, from 14 January to 13 February, a new 1001 Inventions production ‘Ibn Al-Haytham: A Journey of Science from Darkness into Light&rsquo celebrating 11th century scientist Al-Hassan Ibn al-Haytham and his work on optics.
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Sami Yusuf releases music score for 1001 Inventions film
Film soundtrack produced in partnership with 1001 Inventions to ‘shine’ light on harmony and cohesion
London, 20 December 2015: Sami Yusuf, the internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter and composer, and award-winning producer Ahmed Salim announced today the release of the original motion picture soundtrack for the short film ‘1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham’.
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The Album
Sami Yusuf releases music album for 1001 Inventions film
The album supports a global Ibn al-Haytham awareness campaign launched by British organisation 1001 Inventions in partnership with UNESCO that is part of United Nations proclaimed ‘International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies’ (IYL2015).
www.ibnalhaytham.com/discover/the-album
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www.1001inventions.com/world-premiere-2015
Educational Resources
The IbnAlHaytham.com educational resources are designed to support teachers within the classroom environment.
IbnAlHaytham.com is part of 1001 Inventions, which is a science and cultural heritage brand that’s loved and trusted by all audiences around the world. Simillar educational properties such as exhibits, books, characters, image library, school materials, activities, workshops, toys and much more educational and enjoyable products are presented in through this website, and more to follow…
www.ibnalhaytham.com/discover/education-resources
Cairo University Celebrates!
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Bahrain celebrates!
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Zedni Ilman, Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Centre, 1 and 2 May 2015
4pm till 10pm on Friday and 12 till 10pm on Saturday. Families in Bahrain are welcomed to join a fun weekend of theatre and science celebrating the 1,000 year anniversary of Ibn Al-Haytham’s work in science. Known to many as the ‘father of optics’, he helped revolutionise experimental science and our understanding of light and vision.
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The Trailer
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Ibn Al-Haytham was a pioneering polymath from Basra (in modern-day Iraq) who lived in the 10th century and is often referred to as the ‘father of modern optics’. He made significant advancements in optics, mathematics and astronomy, and helped lay the foundations of the present day scientific experimental method.
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