By TCN News
Aligarh: The Ibn Sina Academy, Aligarh, organised a national seminar on “Life and Contribution of Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen)” between 14 and 15 October 2015, to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the compilation of Ibn al-Haytham’s remarkable seven chapters work on optics: Kitâb al-Manâzir in Arabic and as a part of UNESCO’s declaration of International year of Light 2015 (IYL 2015).
During the inaugural session, Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah, VC, AMU, delivered the presidential address. Former Vice Chancellor NIMS University, Prof. K. C. Singhal and AMU Pro Vice Chancellor, Brigadier Syed Ahmad Ali attended the seminar as the chief guest and guest of honour, respectively.
While delivering his address, Shah said that the Islamic community has produced great scholars like Ibn al-Haytham but stressed examining the work done by today’s Muslims. “Recently in Lucknow, I tried to highlight the need for quality research in Muslim institutions but unfortunately the media quoted me for other things,” he said. He added that there is a downslide in the Muslim community, but AMU has a solution for it. “Just two days ago, an independent research in the United States of America has voted AMU as the second best Indian university,” he added. He pointed out that AMU has done tremendous work in recycling water and the usage of Nano Technology along with other things. He further shared that there is a possible collaboration of Maruti and Mahendra and Mahendra coming up with AMU in the field of ‘solar power automation’. “This collaboration will be another feather in cap for AMU,” he added.
Shah also inaugurated an exhibition on the works of Ibn al-Haytham, which included Ibn al-Haytham’s related books, journals, postage stamp, first day cover, currency notes, paintings and photographs. In addition, items were included, which were published by the Late Hakim Mohammad Saeed, Karachi, Pakistan, during the International Conference on Abul Hassan Ibn al- Haytham held on 1-10 November 1969.
While delivering the welcome address, Prof. Syed Zillur Rahman, President, Ibn Sina Academy, said that he was proud that the seminar took place despite the limited means. Prof. Rahman said that Ibn al-Haytham’s experiments, with special reference to optics and light, proved earlier researches incorrect and presented the correct observations. “The entire world recognises Ibn al-Haytham’s conclusions and as a result the UNESCO is celebrating 2015 as the year of light (IYL-2015). He also pointed out that the Ibn Sina Academy is dedicated in editing, translating and publishing manuscripts and rare books from time to time and the Academy has been well appreciated in India and the International community.
Dr Kathleen Longwaters, Fullbright Scholar from USA, said that much of modern scientific and medical instrumentation is built on Ibn al-Haytham’s work on optics. “As a Fullbright scholar I am exploring and working on Ibn al-Haytham’s works in a broader cultural context,” she added.