Released on = October 6, 2006, 1:24 pm

Press Release Author = Multicultural Business Council

Industry = Small Business

Press Release Summary = Columbus Day marks the annual remembrance of Christopher
Columbus's voyage to open east-west trade routes. As the day is observed, the
diversity behind the voyage's success is often overlooked.

Press Release Body = Columbus Day marks the annual remembrance of Christopher
Columbus\'s voyage to open east-west trade routes. As the day is observed, the
diversity behind the voyage\'s success is often overlooked.

Arranging for the voyage was a long process for Columbus as he tried to find funding
in Portugal, Italy, and Spain. The journey was planned by a committee in Lisbon,
Portugal. Led by Joseph Diego Mendes Vezinho, a Jewish scientist that later
converted to Christianity, a nautical plan was developed using newly created star
charts and maps developed by Muslim navigators.

The diversity continued when it was time to fund the trip. Columbus sought finances
from several sources eventually finding success with Queen Isabella of Spain. They
did not agree to fund the trip until Luis de Santangel developed a successful plan.
King Fedinand had ordered all Jews and Muslims convert to Catholicism or leave
Spanish soil. Santangel, a Jew, converted under this decree. He compiled the funds
using an endowment, uncollected penalties owed by the City of Palos, and his own
personal funds. The monarchy agreed as it involved little of their own money.

With the plan, maps, and funds in hand, Columbus still needed a hand with the
navigation. The most expert of all navigators at the time were the Muslim people.
Ibn Battutah had invented the sextant in the prior century, which had proved to be
extremely successful in all forms of navigation. Its use by Muslim navigators gave
Columbus the tool and knowledge of its use to stay on course for his journey.

The synergy of cultures and people that made the initial trade journey to North
America possible is a viable force today that opens doors to success of equal impact
to Columbus\'s historical trip. As nations and religions came together then, nations
and religions are coming together today to provide successes in healthcare,
industry, technology, and many other vital areas.

One of the most exciting ways to learn about the synergies possible is through
programs such as MosaicT, a series of cultural events sponsored by Multicultural
Business Council of Detroit. The emphasis of MosaicT is to introduce business
leaders to opportunities in other countries. It goes a step further than most
programs of the same nature as it envelopes participants in a full cultural
experience where they also meet the people that might someday work with them.
Through the experience they have a better knowledge of the people that will make
their business venture successful. During 2007 MosaicT will travel to the new
cultural center of Spain, Andalucia, to recapture the synergy of the original
business negotiations that lead to the first voyage of Christopher Columbus.

MBC is a membership organization based near Detroit, Michigan. Its purpose is to
connect cultures through commerce. The organization offers certification programs,
events, cultural trips, and other venues to increase awareness and appreciation of
the multiple cultures flavoring the world. For more information about MBC, send an
email to rick@mbcglobal.org or visit www.mbcglobal.org.

-- 30 --


Web Site = http://www.mbcglobal.org

Contact Details = Rick Weaver||1720 Northumberland Drive, Suite 202||Rochester Hills
, 48309||$$country||||248-802-6138||rick@mbcglobal.org||http://www.mbcglobal.org