الاتحاد العربي لعلوم الفضاء والفلك

Islamic Astronomical Conference – Introduction

Astronomical applications in Islam are among the most important applications that the AUASS has taken care of, for the importance of these applications in our daily life. And astronomers on many controversial issues between the astronomical and jurisprudential perspectives, and the most prominent of these issues are: criteria for seeing the crescent, the Hijri calendar in light of scientific and technological developments, new moons and times, …

The Second Islamic Astronomical Conference

The Second Islamic Astronomical Conference was held in the Jordanian capital – Amman during 29-30 October 2001, in coordination between the AUASS and the Jordanian Astronomical Society, and in cooperation with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places.  More than 45 scientists and researchers in the jurisprudence and astronomical sciences from 18 countries. The conference sessions focused on the applications of astronomical sciences in Islamic law and its great role in many important issues in the conditions of sighting the crescent.

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The Third Islamic Astronomical Conference

The third Islamic Astronomical Conference was held in the Jordanian capital – Amman during the 20-22 October 2003, in coordination between the AUASS and the Jordanian Astronomical Society, and in cooperation with the Jordanian Ministry of Endowments, Affairs and Islamic Sanctities. More than 45 scientists and researchers in the jurisprudence and astronomical sciences from 14 countries. And the conferees came out with many recommendations

  1. Urging serious scientific research to study the Qur’anic verses related to the universe
  2. Forming a committee that includes official representatives from every Muslim country or Muslim community to discuss and resolve the issue of timings.


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Fourth Islamic Astronomical Conference

The fourth Islamic Astronomical Conference was held in the Jordanian capital – Amman during the period 20-22 – July 2006   in joint coordination between the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences and the Jordanian Astronomical Society and cooperation with the University of Al al-Bayt University of Jordan, More than 90 scientists and researchers In jurisprudence and astronomical sciences from 12 countries. And the participants came out with many recommendations

  1. Urging serious scientific research to study the Qur’anic verses related to the universe
  2. Preparing periodic bulletins showing the family accounts for various countries of the world

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The Fifth Islamic Astronomical Conference

The Fifth Islamic Astronomy Conference, titled “Astronomy and Calendars: Between Tradition and Modernity,” was hosted by the International Islamic Sciences University in Amman. It took place from March 22nd to 24th, 2011, organized by the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, the International Islamic Sciences University, and the Royal Jordanian Geographic Center, in collaboration with the Jordanian Association for the History of Sciences, the Jordanian Astronomical Society, and the Office of the Chief Justice in Jordan.

The conference saw a significant participation of experts from the Arab and Islamic worlds in the fields of astronomy, Sharia sciences, and the history of sciences among Arabs and Muslims, as well as specialists from friendly countries. Attendees discussed various research topics related to the sighting of the Ramadan and Shawwal crescents, Islamic calendars, prayer times calculation, scientific miracles in the Quran, the achievements of Arab astronomers from the Middle Ages to the present day, Arab and Islamic astronomical observatories, and other astronomical subjects relevant to the Arab and Islamic worlds. Research papers were also presented on the possibility of unifying the Islamic calendar to suit contemporary circumstances, as well as discussions on ancient and modern calendar types, the use of astronomical devices in calculating prayer times, determining the direction of the Qibla, and other important astronomical topics.

One of the main objectives of the conference was to enhance scientific and technological cooperation between Arab and Muslim astronomers and space scientists on one hand, and Islamic Sharia scholars and experts in education and teaching in the Arab and Islamic worlds on the other.

The Conference on Establishing Lunar Months between Sharia Scholars and Astronomical Calculation

The “World Conference on Establishing Lunar Months between Sharia Scholars and Astronomical Calculation” was held from 19th to 21st Rabi’ al-Awwal in the year 1433 AH, corresponding to February 11th to 13th, 2012, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It brought together a select group of Sharia scholars and astronomers from religious institutions, universities, and specialized research centers. Many research papers were discussed, resulting in several recommendations, including:

The primary method for establishing the beginning and end of lunar months is through moon sighting, whether by the naked eye or with the assistance of observatories and astronomical devices.
If the crescent moon is not sighted, then the month is completed after thirty days.

The witness must meet the necessary conditions for their testimony to be accepted, and any disqualifying factors must be absent.

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Statement of Agreement between Esteemed Scholars of Jurisprudence and Astronomers Gathered at the Second Emirates Astronomical Conference

A distinguished group of Sharia scholars, jurists, Muslim astronomers, and specialists convened on the sidelines of the Second Emirates Astronomical Conference to discuss and consult on several critical issues on 15th and 17th Jumada al-Akhira, 1431 AH, corresponding to May 29th and 31st, 2010 CE. The consultation sessions featured constructive dialogue aimed at clarifying many aspects of confusion in both jurisprudential and astronomical matters, as well as finding solutions and answers to many of these questions that require further research and study. These consultative sessions and meetings culminated in agreement on fundamental points, including:

Affirming that modern astronomy is a precise scientific discipline based on calculation methods, and it has no connection to astrology or any other speculative methods.

Recognizing that astronomy encompasses applications in Islamic jurisprudence, such as issues related to prayer times, lunar sightings, and calendar calculations.

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The Sharia Astronomical Conference

On 25th-26th Jumada al-Awwal, 1429 AH, corresponding to May 31st – June 1st, 2008 CE, the Islamic Foundation for Sciences (the Dutch Scientific Council) and the Association of Imams in the Netherlands convened the Sharia Astronomical Conference to study the issue of lunar sighting in the city of Soestbroek, with the presence of a select group of scholars and experts in jurisprudence and astronomy. Several jurisprudential and astronomical matters were agreed upon, including:
Adopting the announcement of the sighting of the crescent moon in any Islamic country if the necessary scientific conditions are met.

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  • The first Islamic astronomical conference.
  • The Fifth Islamic Astronomical Conference.
  • The Sixth Islamic Astronomical Conference.
  • For the Seventh Islamic Astronomy Conference – Click here
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