INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCES OF SACRED ASTRONOMY [ILM AL-FALAK]

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