Visitors to Bahrain Science Centre can enjoy weekly AstroLab workshops at the centre at no cost.The Centre has developed a strong astronomy programme in collaboration with the University of Bahrain and created an AstroLab that has telescopes, computers and an online weather station.
There is also an Astronomy Club for aspiring young star gazers who are keen to learn more about the universal laboratory in the sky….enjoy stargazing!
Bahrain Science Centre, a part of Ministry of Social Development is currently showcasing a scale model replica of one of the most famous inventions from the Golden Age of Islamic Science, the Al-Jazari’s ‘Elephant Water Clock’, manufactured by MTE Studios in the foyer area of the centre. The exhibit has proven to be of great interest to the general public who gather around it, read the labels while students learn more about it using educational activity sheets.
Al-Jazari invented the ‘Elephant Water Clock’ for several reasons. It was mainly to tell the time and to showcase the advanced state of Islamic engineering but also to celebrate the universality of Islam in the 12th century. The Clock includes an elephant from India, an Egyptian phoenix, Persian carpets, Indian water technology, Arabian architecture and Chinese serpents.
Visitors will learn how the clock was used to tell the time to the half hour using an elaborate ball run system that is powered by a perforated bowl technique first devised by the Greeks and then perfected later in India.
Al-Jazari’s clock is one of the most amazing automated machines invented during the middle Ages. Don’t miss this opportunity to see it as the exhibit will only remain there until the last week of January.
Check out a new screening from Sharjah Art Foundation. 5 Broken Cameras by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi looks at Palestinian farmer Emad, who since 2005 has been documenting his village’s resistance to advancing Israeli settlements, using the five cameras of the title.
Each camera tells part of the story, beginning with Emad recording Israeli bulldozers ripping olive trees from the ground and building up towards fiercer conflicts. The film features some hard-hitting footage, as Emad remains determined to continue documenting, despite pleas from his wife and an ever-increasing risk of violence.
Showing is at Mirage City Cinema, SAF Art Spaces, Behind Al Zahra Mosque, Sharjah on Saturday at 7.30pm.
Colour, 94 mins, 2011 arabic with english subtitles
The Fazza Championships for Falconry, organized by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, have started the Gyr Shaheen speed races category for the general public. The categories of the falcon racing: Gyr Shaheen (younger) and Gyr Shaheen (older) are for enthusiasts who love falconry.
Below you will find a bit of wisdom of a Falconer piece sent to me by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center and see some images from the sport:
The Wisdom of a Falconer
Since Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre is a credible source for preserving and promoting national heritage in the UAE, and provides heritage based references and books, the sixth chapter of the book of Falconry: celebrating a living heritage, sheds the light on a long stretched heritage in a modern world. The author sums up a final message to falconers reminding them of the moment they raise their hands to free their falcon for hunting the prey at the break of dawn. He states that Falconers may think it is their first hunting trip but it may well be their last. Amid the uncontrolled excitement and anticipation, falconers should think of the truth that they are one ring in a long chain stretching centuries back to prehistoric times, to the fate that lies ahead of them. (Book by Dr. Javier Ceballos)
Globalista Extraordinaire 