'Legacy of Timbuktu: Wonders of the Written Word' Exhibit brings African History to Los Angeles

(Los Angeles, CA - July 21, 2014) Excitement is brewing for the highly anticipated arrival of "The Legacy of Timbuktu: Wonders of the Written Word" traveling museum exhibit, which comes to Los Angeles this September. The exhibit, which is being presented by Muslim News Magazine TV in association with Bilal Learning Center, will be on display over the weekend of September 12-14 at the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Masjid located across the street from the University of Southern California.

"The Legacy of Timbuktu" exhibit has received national attention for it's amazing display of ancient African manuscripts which reveal the literate history of West Africa. These historic treasures, some which date back nearly 1000 years, are part of an estimated one million manuscripts recently re-discovered in the Republic of Mali. Many historians are calling them the most significant discovery of the modern era.

The International Museum of Muslim Cultures, located in Jackson, Mississippi, is the organizer of the exhibit. They are America's first museum dedicated to educating the public about historic Islamic cultures and the only international Islamic history museum in the country.

"These ancient documents reveal that a sophisticated, highly literate culture flourished in the City of Timbuktu beginning in the 14th century," stated Samir Muqaddin, Director of Sales and Marketing for BAIT-CAL. "This clearly refutes stereotypical depictions of Africa as a primitive society with a strictly oral history tradition. The exhibit illustrates the significant contributions that Muslims and Africans made to the world prior to slavery and the colonization of Africa."

Masjid Bilal Islamic Center and Masjid Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, will co-sponsor this historic event as a means to educate the public about Islamic history, culture, and the contribution of Muslims to world civilization. The Timbuktu Exhibit will provide Southern California residents and visitors access to America's largest collection of original ancient artifacts depicting the legacy of West Africa. The presentation will provide the ultimate learning experience over the course of a three event filled days

"The Legacy of Timbuktu" exhibit, which will be on display all 3 days, officially kicks off on Friday at 10:00am, highlighted by a grand banquet on later that evening. The banquet keynote speakers will be Emad Al-Turk,Chairman of the Board for the International Museum of Muslim Cultures and Okolo Rashid, who is the museum's Executive Director. Their topic will be "The History of Timbuktu and its Impact on Global Islamic Society".

Emad Al-Turk, Chairman IMMC		Okolo Rashid, Exec. Dir. IMMC

On Saturday, there will be educational workshops, multi-media programs and discussions for visitors who attend the exhibit, which will be open all day from 10AM - 8PM. The weekend will conclude on Sunday with the screening of 2 films during the day, including Muslim News Magazine's highly acclaimed documentary "The Legend of Timbuktu". MNM-TV's Lon Muqaddin will host the day's events, which also includes several invited guest speakers.

Admission to the exhibit is free to the public and banquet tickets are priced at $45. Tickets can be purchased beginning July 25th at Masjid Bilal Islamic Center, located at 4016 S. Central Ave. in Los Angeles. Click here to purchase banquet tickets online ($5 service fee applies).

For more information or banquet seating, call (323) 233-7274. Download Exhibit Flyer