Islamic Circles Presents:

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SCIENCE OF SACRED ASTRONOMY [ILM AL-FALAK]

Date: Saturday 16th September 2006
Time: 9.00 am - 6.00 pm
Venue: Birkbeck College, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HX

A one day course delivered by Dr Usama Hasan (Cambridge, Lecturer at
the Greenwich Royal Observatory) and Shaykh Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti
(Oxford, UK Moonsighting Committee).

Each year the Muslim community is in disarray over the start and end
of Ramadan, i.e. sighting of the moon (hilal). Blame can be attributed
to intolerence of valid theological differences and uncompromising
positions according to sectarian politics from people's countries of
origin. However, a lot of the time both camps are highly ignorant of
Astronomy in general. Muslims in the past had been leaders in this
science, known as Ilm al-Falak, but this is not the case today.
Nowadays, to find a Muslim astronomer is like trying to find ET in
our galaxy.

As part of trying to resolve these issues, an honest, cool headed
and holistic approach is required. Hence this course will cover
the following areas: Moon Sighting Fundamentals, Astronomy in the
Quran and Sunnah, Determining Prayer and Qibla Times from the
Movement of the Sun, Moon and Stars, Navigation according to the
Stars, plus other related topics.

All welcome to attend, including scholars, imams and masjid
committee members. Entry is by prior booking only.

To book or for more information please contact:
Tel: 07956 983 609 / 07092 032 136
E-mail: courses@islamiccircles.org