English Publication to Include Findings of over 30 Academic Researches on Island's History from 8th - 13th Century

Dubai: 03 February, 2009 - The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation today announced it has signed an MoU with Dr. Salma Al Jayyousi, prominent academician and author, to publish the first encyclopaedia in English on the Arab and Islamic Civilization in Sicily from the 8th - 13th century.

The book will trace the Islamic civilisation's most significant imprints on the island, particularly on diverse aspects of life such as agriculture, commerce, architecture and economy.

Jamal Al Shehhi, Director-Culture Development, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, said: "The Foundation's initiatives not only aim to enhance the knowledge capabilities of the Arab world, but also serve to highlight the status of the Arab culture on the international arena. Achieving this objective requires concerted intellectual and cultural dialogue with the rest of the world. Other cultures would not enter into this dialogue unless they are fully aware of the essence of the Arabic culture, and comprehend its phenomenal contribution to world civilization."

Expected to be completed in two years, the encyclopaedia will deal with a number of key topics such as the history of Sicily before, during and after the 200 years of Islamic reign. It will also explore the domination of the Arabic and Islamic identity for a further two centuries even after the departure of the Muslims.

The book, which is expected to include more than 30 different researches, will focus on Sicily's Islamic and Arabic heritage including art and literature, while detailing the circumstances that brought together three Arab geographers on the island namely Ibn Hawqal, Ibn Jubayr and Al Idrissi.

Al Shehhi added: "This latest initiative reiterates the Foundation's aim to encourage the production of books in foreign languages, especially English, and is therefore collaborating with Arab writers and intellectuals who possess a command over these languages. Writing in foreign languages will enable readers from other cultures to learn about the intellectual wealth of the Arab world while communicating the Arab perspective to diverse cultures and schools of thinking around the world."

The Culture Sector at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation is pioneering initiatives in tandem with the other two sectors of Knowledge and Education and Employment and Entrepreneurship as part of its mission to create a society of informed and talented individuals that is dedicated to the overall development of the Arab world.

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About Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation:
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation was founded on the personal initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with an endowment worth US$10 billion. The Foundation was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East held at the Dead Sea, Jordan, in May 2007. Through three strategic sectors of Culture, Knowledge and Education, as well as Entrepreneurship and Employment, the Foundation seeks to develop knowledge and human capabilities in the Arab world. The Foundation's three underlying principles are; Building the region's human capital with a pool of knowledgeable and talented individuals; Offering better opportunities for the region's younger generation to acquire knowledge and secure a better future; and Promoting leadership qualities among the younger generation to enhance their living standards.

For further information please contact:
Sultan Al Jesmi
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation
+971 4 4233 472
Email: sultan.aljesmi@mbrfoundation.ae

Sabith Khan
JiWin                                             
The Public Relations arm of Dubai Press Club
Tel: +9714  4334 157  (direct)
+97150 922 5118
Email: sabith.khan@jiwin.ae

© Press Release 2009