Dubai, Friday March 31st, 2006 (WAM) -- Dubai-based Muslim Heritage Consulting?s groundbreaking 1001 Inventions exhibition that unveils the hidden history of Muslim science and invention is poised to begin its world-wide tour and will reach Dubai by the end of the year.

After a phenomenally-successful launch in the U.K. earlier this month, "1001 Inventions: Discover the Muslim Heritage in our World" is set to tour over 20 nations in Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and Australasia.

Dubai-based exhibition organizers Muslim Heritage Consulting, in association with the Foundation for Science Technology and Civilization (FSTC) in the U.K., have been inundated with requests for the exhibition from governments, academic institutions and corporate interests around the globe.

Muslim Heritage Consulting was able to attract wide-ranging support for an international tour of 1001 Inventions due to the Dubai-based group's long-established ties with leading organizations, institutions and individuals around the world. In the U.K., the project was sponsored by the British Home Office, British Foreign Office, British Department for Trade and Industry, Abu Dhabi based Bin Hamouda Group and Dubai based International Holdings Group.

Keen demand has also been driven by the exhibition's unique revelations of some of the best-kept secrets and scientific contributions made by ancient Muslim scholars upon which much of Western civilization now relies.

The global roll out of the 1001 Inventions exhibition was recently endorsed by Professor Ekmellidin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Countries. He said: ?I think it should go to Europe. The best place to start would be Strasbourg and the European Council. I also hope it will develop to go to other countries like Turkey, Arab countries, Malaysia, Pakistan and so on and so forth.? Professor Salim Al-Hassani, Chairman of the FSTC said: ?The enthusiastic response to the exhibition's launch in Manchester and subsequent worldwide requests for it to tour globally are testament to strong international demand for this unique exhibition.

The extent to which Muslims have contributed to Western Civilization is not generally well-known. Yet these ancient scholars from the Islamic world gave us many of the everyday things we use today such as coffee, soap and clocks. This exhibition shows that Muslims have always shared the heritage that provides a platform for developments that makes the Western World tick.? Mike O'Brien, QC Solicitor General speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Blair, said that ?today we all know that Islam and the West are not only compatible but can prosper together, that's what this exhibition demonstrates.? The exhibition's launch was marked by the presence of hundreds of distinguished academic, political and business leaders. These included Professor Ekmellidin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), Prince Mohammed Bin Nawaf, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the U.K., the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Afzal Khan and Professor Salim Al-Hassani, Chairman of exhibition organisers the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilization.

The event generated substantial national and international media coverage of this unique, relevant and historically-critical exhibition.

The exhibition uses advanced engineering principles, historical manuscripts and state of the art multi-media technology to bring to life an overlooked golden age of scientific innovation, pioneered by Muslims over one thousand years ago. Examining a thousand years of missing history, 1001 Inventions brings to life historical inventions and innovations made by some of the greatest Muslim minds of all time, including: ? discovering coffee and developing the art of coffee drinking ? inventing the camera and using carpets for home insulation ? Paper, fountain pen, and using libraries to promote public learning ? making soap and setting up public baths ? formulating pills and making surgical tools ? navigation devices and charting world maps ? flying with wings and rocket flying The global exhibition is split into seven main zones: home, school, market, hospital, town, world and universe and aims to encourage, inspire and motivate British youth ? in particular young people of the ethnic communities ? to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology. It uses a range of multimedia, including graphical simulations, 3D animations and interactive replicas to bring to life the ingenious mechanical devices and automatic machines invented by Muslims.

The format of the exhibition is new and unique and will be revealed for the first time at its launch. 1001 Inventions will visit Dubai in late 2006 and then tour other major cities in the region.

Accompanying the exhibition are educational resources to support schools and a fascinating 350 page full colour book.