Kuwait’s standing as a world centre of Islamic art has been raised further by the opening of a unique exhibition examining the Islamic world’s role in the development of the foundations of modern science and technology.
His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Minister of Information and President of the National Council of Culture, Arts and Letters, officially launched The Golden Age of the Arab Sciences exhibition at Kuwait City’s Amricani Cultural Centre this evening in the presence of local dignitaries and VIPs.
Open to the public from March 15 to June 16, the exhibition offers a fascinating insight into the application of science and technology during what is commonly referred to as the ‘golden age’ of Arab-Muslim civilisation, the period spanning the eighth and fifteen centuries C.E. (first and eighth centuries in the Islamic calendar).
Hosted by Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah (DAI), the exhibition has been brought to Kuwait by the Institut du Monde Arabe of Paris, with the support of Total and the French embassy.
The three-month exhibition features priceless items from The al-Sabah Collection of art from the Islamic world, the private collection of Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah and his wife, Sheikha Hussah Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah.
Sheikha Hussah Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah, co-founder and director general of DAI, said at the unveiling: “We are so pleased to have The Golden Age of the Arab Sciences exhibition at the Amricani Cultural Centre. The Islamic world has contributed a significant chapter to the history of scientific endeavour, which The Golden Age of the Arab Sciences exhibition will bring into focus for a public audience in a highly engaging way.”
Joining VIP guests at the exhibition launch were Her Excellency Nada Yafi, Ambassador of France to Kuwait; Lionel Levha, General Manager of Total Kuwait; Renaud Muselier, President of the Institut du Monde Arabe; and Catherine Ferrant, Vice President of Corporate Philanthropy and General Delegate of the Total Foundation, Total’s global endowment fund.
Lionel Levha of Total Kuwait said the exhibition underlined Total’s commitment to community engagement, especially in Kuwait where the company is also an active supporter of environmental conservation, in partnership with local organisations and the Total Foundation.
“We’re grateful to Sheikha Hussah Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah, Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah and the Kuwaiti authorities for supporting this landmark exhibition. The Golden Age of the Arab Sciences exhibition shows our passion at Total for developing lasting, meaningful partnerships in the region – and the importance of science and technology to both our industry and the future development of the Arab world. The exhibition makes an intriguing connection between the scientific challenges of today and the innovations of the past.”
“One of our missions at Total is to celebrate the culture of the countries where we are located, especially those in the Middle East where the group has its historical foundations,” said Catherine Ferrant, Vice President of Corporate Philanthropy at the Total Foundation.
“There is so much to discover about the variety and beauty of the Arab world’s culture, so it was a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the organisation of The Golden Age of the Arab Sciences exhibition with objects from the exceptional al-Sabah Collection. We are deeply honoured to promote the scientific and cultural heritage of the Islamic world.”
Renaud Muselier of the Institut du Monde Arabe added: “We’re very excited to bring The Golden Age of the Arab Sciences exhibition to Kuwait, a country known for its dedication to the arts. The exhibition has been shown to thousands of people in Europe, and has significantly raised awareness there of the contribution by Arab and Muslim scientists to the advancement of humanity in a variety of fields, from mathematics to physics to astronomy. Having this opportunity to reconnect people in the region, especially the youth, with their scientific heritage is a great privilege and adds a new dimension to the exhibition itself.”
“Kuwait is an ideal location for such an exhibition, a country with a gift for science and many institutions dedicated to the subject,” said Her Excellency Nada Yafi, the French ambassador to Kuwait.
The Golden Age of the Arab Sciences exhibition runs from March 15 to June 16 at the Americani Cultural Centre in Kuwait City
From 10:00am-7:00pm Monday to Thursday and on Saturdays.
Entrance is free.
The exhibition is also open from 2:00-7:00pm every Friday.
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