Metro Highlights
Islamic pioneering validated by Science Centre’s Sultans and Mecca Journey
Viewers of the Sultans of Science exhibit last Saturday with eyes glued on Islamic works at the Ontario Science Center that show Inventions and Discovery of the Golden Era.
By William Doyle-Marshall
It is Saturday morning at the Ontario Science Center where a new IMAX® film “Journey to Mecca: In the footsteps of Ibn Battuta” is being screened in tandem with the new exhibition, Sultans of Science: 1000 Years of Knowledge Rediscovered.
Developed by Cape Town and Dubai-based MTE Studios, this informative and thought provoking exhibition shows visitors how a great civilization created prosperity across large areas of the known world, from Spain to China. It highlights important scientific and technological advances made during the Golden Age of Islamic Science (circa eighth to 18th centuries), drawing attention to the multi-cultural roots of modern science and technology.
Dr. Hooley McLaughlin, Acting Director, Visitor Experience at the Science Center notes the exhibition introduces Canadians to a fundamental truth about science today – namely that science has a past.
“Modern science, from astronomy to medicine to physics and chemistry, owes an enormous debt to the discoveries of scientists working during the Golden Age of Islamic Science. The knowledge displayed in this exhibition is important to everyone in our Society,” he concludes.
By presenting this exhibition, Jehad Aliweiwi, Ontario Science Centre Board member believes it is a clear demonstration of its commitment to reflecting diversity. “This is a bold and pioneering exhibition that should be welcomed and embraced.
There are nine Sections and themes - Flight, Medical inventions, Islamic astronomy, Mathematics, art and architecture; Optical science, Fine technology, Applied hydrology, Great explorers and the House of Wisdom.
Viewers – adults and children – from Islamic and non-Islamic communities were impressed by the exhibits and accompanying information. There were educators, parents and children and some purely curious observers. Some were being informed for the first time and others were pleased to be seeing the data publicly in Canada at this very popular institution. Zahida Murtaza, an Etobicoke middle school teacher with the Toronto District School Board said in today’s time and climate and culture and the whole notion of the modern Muslims in the post-911 era, it is really important for Muslim people and non-Muslims as well to understand the importance of Islam to society.
The film follows the great Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta on his epic journey from Tangier to Mecca in 1325. Retracing the steps of the explorer’s first Hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca), the film presents the Hajj and its rituals as performed in the 14th century through to today. It was filmed on location in Saudi Arabia and Morocco and is an impressive portrait of Islamic civilization during the 14th century.
Both the film and exhibition run until May 10 at the Ontario Science Centre. The film features the most stunning modern-day footage of the Hajj ever recorded in IMAX, including breathtaking aerials. The film crew was granted exceptional access to Mecca and the Grand Mosque – the most sacred site in the Islamic world.
“Our IMAX films take audiences to places they would not otherwise go,” says Glenn Shaver, Associate Director, OMNIMAX Theatre of the Ontario Science Centre.
Journey to Mecca narrated by Academy Award® winner Ben Kingsley is a visually astonishing film and has the ability to reach across communities by giving viewers unprecedented access to one of the great wonders of the world,” Shaver predicts.
The Munk Centre is providing funding to allow many students and school groups to view Journey To Mecca: In the footsteps of Ibn Battuta. "We believe this important film will expose the world to Ibn Battuta, one of the greatest travelers and explorers of all time and also entertain and educate students on the richness of Islamic culture" said Dr Janice Stein, Director of the Centre."
Chems Eddine Zinoun stars as Ibn Battuta and Hassam Ghancy as the Highwayman. The film is directed by Bruce Neibaur and produced by Dominic Cunningham-Reid, Taran Davies of Cosmic Picture and Jonathan Barker of SK Films. Executive producer is Canadian Jake Eberts, whose films Gandhi, Chariots of Fire and Dances with Wolves have won 27 Oscars.
The Ontario Science Centre - an agency of the Government of Ontario - prides itself on using science as the lens to inspire and actively engage people in new ways of seeing, understanding and thinking about themselves and the world. It is also a leading developer of interactive exhibitions for science centers around the world.
Exhibition hours and complimentary student screening schedule information are available at www.ontariosciencecentre.ca or by calling (416) 696-1000.
It is Saturday morning at the Ontario Science Center where a new IMAX® film “Journey to Mecca: In the footsteps of Ibn Battuta” is being screened in tandem with the new exhibition, Sultans of Science: 1000 Years of Knowledge Rediscovered.
Developed by Cape Town and Dubai-based MTE Studios, this informative and thought provoking exhibition shows visitors how a great civilization created prosperity across large areas of the known world, from Spain to China. It highlights important scientific and technological advances made during the Golden Age of Islamic Science (circa eighth to 18th centuries), drawing attention to the multi-cultural roots of modern science and technology.
Dr. Hooley McLaughlin, Acting Director, Visitor Experience at the Science Center notes the exhibition introduces Canadians to a fundamental truth about science today – namely that science has a past.
“Modern science, from astronomy to medicine to physics and chemistry, owes an enormous debt to the discoveries of scientists working during the Golden Age of Islamic Science. The knowledge displayed in this exhibition is important to everyone in our Society,” he concludes.
By presenting this exhibition, Jehad Aliweiwi, Ontario Science Centre Board member believes it is a clear demonstration of its commitment to reflecting diversity. “This is a bold and pioneering exhibition that should be welcomed and embraced.
There are nine Sections and themes - Flight, Medical inventions, Islamic astronomy, Mathematics, art and architecture; Optical science, Fine technology, Applied hydrology, Great explorers and the House of Wisdom.
Viewers – adults and children – from Islamic and non-Islamic communities were impressed by the exhibits and accompanying information. There were educators, parents and children and some purely curious observers. Some were being informed for the first time and others were pleased to be seeing the data publicly in Canada at this very popular institution. Zahida Murtaza, an Etobicoke middle school teacher with the Toronto District School Board said in today’s time and climate and culture and the whole notion of the modern Muslims in the post-911 era, it is really important for Muslim people and non-Muslims as well to understand the importance of Islam to society.
The film follows the great Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta on his epic journey from Tangier to Mecca in 1325. Retracing the steps of the explorer’s first Hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca), the film presents the Hajj and its rituals as performed in the 14th century through to today. It was filmed on location in Saudi Arabia and Morocco and is an impressive portrait of Islamic civilization during the 14th century.
Both the film and exhibition run until May 10 at the Ontario Science Centre. The film features the most stunning modern-day footage of the Hajj ever recorded in IMAX, including breathtaking aerials. The film crew was granted exceptional access to Mecca and the Grand Mosque – the most sacred site in the Islamic world.
“Our IMAX films take audiences to places they would not otherwise go,” says Glenn Shaver, Associate Director, OMNIMAX Theatre of the Ontario Science Centre.
Journey to Mecca narrated by Academy Award® winner Ben Kingsley is a visually astonishing film and has the ability to reach across communities by giving viewers unprecedented access to one of the great wonders of the world,” Shaver predicts.
The Munk Centre is providing funding to allow many students and school groups to view Journey To Mecca: In the footsteps of Ibn Battuta. "We believe this important film will expose the world to Ibn Battuta, one of the greatest travelers and explorers of all time and also entertain and educate students on the richness of Islamic culture" said Dr Janice Stein, Director of the Centre."
Chems Eddine Zinoun stars as Ibn Battuta and Hassam Ghancy as the Highwayman. The film is directed by Bruce Neibaur and produced by Dominic Cunningham-Reid, Taran Davies of Cosmic Picture and Jonathan Barker of SK Films. Executive producer is Canadian Jake Eberts, whose films Gandhi, Chariots of Fire and Dances with Wolves have won 27 Oscars.
The Ontario Science Centre - an agency of the Government of Ontario - prides itself on using science as the lens to inspire and actively engage people in new ways of seeing, understanding and thinking about themselves and the world. It is also a leading developer of interactive exhibitions for science centers around the world.
Exhibition hours and complimentary student screening schedule information are available at www.ontariosciencecentre.ca or by calling (416) 696-1000.