Salim Al-Hassani: 1001 Inventions

Salim Al-Hassani

Professor Salim T S Al-Hassani is currently an Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering and an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the School of languages, Linguistics and Cultures, Faculty of Humanities, University of Manchester. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of FSTC, Editor in Chief of MuslimHeritage.com, and founder of 1001inventions.com.

Of special interest is his pioneering work in the history of science, where he has made his mark in the application of applied modern engineering analysis to recreate, in 3D virtual space, ancient machines, especially those invented b Muslims during the 'Golden Age', and which later became the foundation of modern science and industry.

In addition to his academic work, Professor Salim Al-Hassani is leading a campaign for promoting the "Cultural Roots of Science" as a platform for community cohesion, world peace and prevention of extremism.

This initiative is successful in promoting greater cohesion, respect and understanding between faiths and cultures. Its major value is not only in closing the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims in the UK and worldwide, but also in promoting the concept of scientific and technological innovation as a positive and constructive channel for the personal expression of belief, as a alternative to religious isolationalism and extremism and more particularly in facilitating greater understanding of the past positive role of Muslim women in society with particular emphasis on their participation in Science, Technology, Art and Culture. Furthermore, it reveals a Muslim past when Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sabians and others worked closely together and in harmony to develop society.

Professor Al-Hassani has delivered more than 150 lectures at reputable national and international venues, most recent of which was a keynote speech entitled Learning from the Past to Design the Future delivered at the Intellectual Capital Conference organized by the World Bank in Paris; 1000 years Amnesia and the Identity Crisis' at the UK Parliament in London (see Muslim Heritage in our World: Social Cohesion), Muslim Heritage and Education (with Ian Fenn; presentation to The Education and Culture Committee of the EU Parliament in Brussels on the 5th November 2008) and 'Strategic Importance of Muslim Heritage in our World and its Impact on Diplomatic, Educational and Socio-Economic Developments' (lecture in the frame of the exhibition on Multi-Faith Scientists in Islamic Civilization organized by the FSTC at the United Nations, New York, 12-14 November 2008; see FSTC's Contribution to the Intercultural Dialogue at the General Assembly of the United Nations).

Professor Al-Hassani authored and edited more than 300 publications on Muslim Heritage, including the ground breaking book 1001 Inventions: Discover the Muslim Heritage in our World (Manchester: FSTC, 2006; 2nd edition 2008; Turkish translation in 2010). The 1001 Inventions book is considered to be essential reading for all those interested to learn about the role of Muslim inventions in today’s schools, universities, homes, hospitals, markets, cities, world and universe.

In his academic role, Professor Al-Hassani held the chair of High Energy Rate Engineering at UMIST when he was acknowledged as a world expert in decommissioning of offshore installations and in major plant-related accident investigations. Since 1968, he has published over 200 papers in international scientific journals and books. He has supervised 40 PhD, 50 MSc and numerous post-doctoral fellows from all parts of the world. He has received numerous awards and held patents on engineering.