Ahmed Salim is a British social entrepreneur and producer of transmedia productions including films,[1] international exhibitions,[2] live shows,[3] books[4][5] and educational and social campaigns that have engaged more than 450 million people around the world. [6][7] Ahmed Salim is on The 500 Most Influential Muslims lists of 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.[8]

Ahmed Salim
Ahmed Salim at the launch of the International Year of Light 2015, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 19 January 2015
OccupationProducer

His award-winning films have been seen by more than 100 million people[9][10] and his exhibitions have received over 15 million visitors around the world.[11]

UNESCO

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In November 2014, Ahmed Salim announced a partnership between UNESCO and 1001 Inventions to support the United Nations proclaimed International Year of Light 2015 as founding partners and the launch of a global campaign to celebrate the work of 11th century scientist Ibn Al-Haytham in optics.[12] UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova formalised the partnership during the high-profile opening ceremony of the International Year of Light at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 19 January 2015 during which Ahmed Salim addressed the audience. The global campaign engaged more than 25 million people in 2015[13]

In October 2018, Ahmed Salim announced a new partnership between UNESCO and 1001 Inventions to support the United Nations proclaimed International Year of the Periodic Table and Chemical Elements 2019.[14] The official opening was held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 29 January 2019.[15]

World Food Programme

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In December 2018, Ahmed Salim launched a new initiative called 1001 Meals, with World Food Programme and 1001 Inventions, to support the wellbeing of children in refugee camps through educational events combined with healthy meals.[16][17][18]

Animal Welfare

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In 2020, Ahmed Salim launched 1001 Paws, an animal welfare initiative supporting stray and abandoned animals. 1001 Paws co-ordinates 700 volunteers and rescuers to help deal with the rising populations of stray and abandoned cats and dogs in the Middle East and North Africa.[19]

National Geographic

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As a part of a partnership with National Geographic,[20] A 1001 Inventions interactive science exhibition was hosted at National Geographic Museum in Washington DC.[21][22][23] National Geographic have published three books produced by Ahmed Salim, Ibn Al-Haytham: The Man Who Discovered How We See,[24] 1001 Inventions and Awesome Facts from Muslim Civilization[5][22] and 1001 Inventions the Enduring Legacy of Muslim Civilization.[25]

1001 Inventions

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Ahmed Salim is the producer[26] and director[27] of 1001 Inventions, a UK-based educational and science and cultural heritage organisation.,[28] It produces global educational programmes, exhibitions,[29][30] live shows, short films, books and educational resources.

Films

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His short film, 1001 Inventions and the Library of Secrets starring Sir Ben Kingsley,[31] has been downloaded 100 million times[10][32] and won 27 international gold and grand prix awards including Best Education Film from Cannes,[33] London, New York[34] and Los Angeles film festivals.[35]

In 2015, Ahmed Salim produced and directed a short feature film starring actor Omar Sharif on the story of 11th-century scientist Ibn Al-Haytham as he embarks upon a quest to uncover ancient mysteries.[36][37] Sharif came out of retirement specifically to participate in this film which has been selected by UNESCO as an official film supporting the United Nations proclaimed International Year of Light 2015. [38][39] The film premiered during the 2015 Dubai International Film Festival[40]

In 2008, Salim produced an educational short film starring Her Royal Highness Queen Rania of Jordan called How'd That Get Here? that was premiered online.[41]

Music

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Ahmed Salim is a Producer and Director of ETM International and Andante Studios,[42] music and record labels that represent and produce music from the international artist and musician Sami Yusuf.[43] Together, they produced and released the music video 'Shine'[44][45] as part of the United Nations proclaimed 2015 International Year of Light.[46]

References

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  1. ^ "Blockbuster global touring exhibition chronicles '1001 Inventions' from Muslim Civilisation". AMEINFO. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  2. ^ "1001 Inventions Opens At Washington DC's National Geographic Museum". UAE TODAY. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  3. ^ "'1001 Inventions' will open at MIA next month". CSO Science. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  4. ^ "The Prince of Wales Supports 1001 Inventions". Latheef Farook.
  5. ^ a b 1001 Inventions and Awesome Facts from Muslim Civilization (1st ed.). National Geographic. 2012. p. 96. ISBN 978-1426312588.
  6. ^ "Stray animals and Ahmed Salim's mission to change how they're cared for in the Middle East". Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  7. ^ "UNESCO joins forces with 1001 Inventions". International Year of Periodic Table. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  8. ^ "Ahmed Salim New". Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  9. ^ "1001 Inventions and the Library of Secrets". 1001 Inventions. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Dubai International Film Festival". Official Youtube Channel. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  11. ^ "Page 20 of the UNESCO Official Programme for the launch of the International Year of the Periodic Table 2019" (PDF). IYTP2019 official site. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  12. ^ "Ibn Al-Haytham to be the focus of the International Year of Light Through Partnering with 1001 Inventions". Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  13. ^ "International Year of Light Official Website". Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  14. ^ "UNESCO joins forces with 1001 Inventions". International Year of Periodic Table. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  15. ^ "UNESCO joins forces with 1001 Inventions". International Year of Periodic Table. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  16. ^ "WFP launches 1001 Meals". Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  17. ^ "1001 Meals launched". Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  18. ^ "WFP teams up with 1001 Inventions". Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  19. ^ "Stray animals and Ahmed Salim's mission to change how they're cared for in the Middle East". Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Her Excellency Sheikha Mayassa Opens 1001 Inventions and Arabick Roots Exhibitions". SHELL.com.qa. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  21. ^ McLaughlin, Moira E. (28 November 2012). "1001 Inventions at the National Geographic Museum explores the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization". The Washington Post. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  22. ^ a b "1001 Inventions & Awesome Facts from Muslim Civilization classroom guide" (PDF). National Geographic Society. 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  23. ^ "National Geographic Museum: "1001 Inventions" Exhibit". Trip Advisor. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  24. ^ Romero, Libby (2016). Ibn Al-Haytham The Man Who Discovered How We See. ISBN 978-1426325007.
  25. ^ Al-Hassani, Salim T. S. (2012). 1001 Inventions: The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Civilization: Official Companion to the 1001 Inventions Exhibition. p. 352. ISBN 9781426209345.
  26. ^ "Our People and Partners". 1001 Inventions. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  27. ^ "1001 Inventions - People".
  28. ^ "Exclusive access for educators to 1001 Inventions". ZAWYA. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  29. ^ O'Bryan, Will. "The World in Washington". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  30. ^ "Museums and Heritage Awards 2011". Museums and Heritage Awards. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  31. ^ "1001 Inventions and the Library of Secrets". IMDB.
  32. ^ "1001 Inventions and the Library of Secrets". 1001 Inventions. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  33. ^ "2010 Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards Winners". Cannes Corporate Film Festival. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  34. ^ "New York Festivals 2010 Winners". New York Festivals. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  35. ^ "Expo of '1001 Inventions' from Muslim civilisation in April-May". Gulf Today. 19 March 2014.
  36. ^ "International Year of Light 2015". IYL2015. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  37. ^ "IMDB 1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham". IMDB.
  38. ^ "Year of Light Videos".
  39. ^ "1001 Inventions UNESCO Announcement". 1001INVENTIONS.
  40. ^ "Legendary Actor Omar Sharif's Final Film To World Premiere At DIFF 2015". DIFF.
  41. ^ "How'd that get here?". IMDB. 31 January 2015.
  42. ^ "British singer Sami Yusuf to perform on December 6". The Peninsula Qatar. 22 November 2012. Archived from the original on 7 June 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  43. ^ David Tusing (5 March 2013). "Sami Yusuf launches new album 'Salaam'". Gulf News. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  44. ^ "Shine Official Music Video". YouTube. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  45. ^ "Sami Yusuf back to inspire, and educate". Gulf News. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  46. ^ "Sami Yusuf released music schore for 1001 Inventions film". Retrieved 26 December 2015.