Tahir Shah is also a champion of what he calls " the East-West Bridge " . In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in the United States in 2001 , Tahir Shah began to devote a great deal of time and energy into establishing and promoting a " cultural bridge " made up by those who , like him , are both from the East and from the West . One example of this work is the Qantara Foundation ( from " qantara " meaning " bridge " in Arabic ) . He has spoken and written on the idea that people such as he have a responsibility to " show the East to the West , and the West to the East , " highlighting the common cultural heritage of the two , and working towards a common goal . Shah 's greatest interest within the East-West theme is probably the subject of the legacy of science in medieval Islam , and its role in creating a foundation for the Renaissance . He has lectured publicly on the subject and believes strongly in the importance of drawing attention to the polymath poet-scientists from the Golden Age of Islam
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Tahir Shah