A look at Muslim contributions to science and technology

Paul Vallely, in today's Independent, looks at Muslim contribution to science and technology and points to 1001 Inventions, an educational website created by the makers of Muslim Heritage, which aims to popularise Muslim roles in the history of science and technology. The 1001 Inventions Touring Exhibition is currently on at the The Museum of Science and Industry Muslim in Manchester until June 4.

I think exhibitions and websites like these are good because they are educational and instructive to people who might otherwise not know about Ibn al-Haitham or al-Khwarizmi; or to those (including Muslims) who believe that being a Muslim necessarily requires the abandoning of critical thinking (although not all scientists and engineers of past Islamic societies were Muslim). However, I hope it doesn't lend itself to the romanticised view of Muslim histories but a recognition that you need to think freely in order to be innovative.