Resolutions of the 2nd Islamic Astronomical Conference
Astronomical Applications in Islamic Shari'a
(Amman; 29 - 31 October 2001)
With the blessing of Allah, the session of the Second Islamic Astronomical Conference took place in Amman, the capital of the Hashimaite Kingdom of Jordan, through the generous efforts of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, and the Jordanian Astronomical Society, in cooperation with the Jordanian Ministry of Islamic Affairs, under the generous patronage of His Eminence, the honorable Minister Dr. Ahmad Halayyel, and with excellent Islamic-Arabic and international participation of scientists, experts and responsible persons, whose number amounted to 44 participants from 18 countries. In the course of this conference, its continuous working sessions lasted from Monday morning, 29 October, until Wednesday evening, 31 October, with excellent scientific investigations and studies on all three days, which amounted to 26 papers, and they were accompanied by excellent scientific contributions to the discussion and specialized dialogues, which influenced the conference and positively developed the intentions it was held for.
At the end of its sessions the conference reached the following results and recommendations:
- The conference welcomes the initiative of the Jordanian Minister of Islamic Affairs for the establishment of an astronomical observatory, specialized in the observation of the crescents, in cooperation with the Jordanian Astronomical Society, and it appeals to the Islamic states to establish similar observatories.
- Use of the Universal Hejric Calendar (UHC), being introduced by the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS) to the committees that calculate the calendars in the Islamic countries, because it is in agreement with the astronomical calculations and the sighting possibilities according to the Shari'a.
- General spreading of astronomical education and its inclusion in the teaching programs in all their stages.
- Collaboration with the legal Muslim scholars and their participation in the dialogues and astronomical researches.
- Rejection the claim of sighting the crescent, if it is inconsistent with the conditions for a possibility of sighting the crescent.
- Consultation of an astronomical adviser in every committee being entrusted with the determination of the beginning of months in the Islamic countries.
- Establishment and support of astronomical institutes.
- Using the calculated visibility of the crescent in all months of the year, and not only for Ramadan and the two Feasts.
- Verification of the meticulousness and the honesty of the witnesses to a sighting of the crescent, and not only the honesty.
- Conveying the observation of the crescent directly via Internet.
- Providing the Muslim scholars of the fundamentals of sighting the crescent, as well as providing the astronomers of the information about sighting the crescent from Shari'a prospective.
- Encouraging the Muslims in different countries of the world to do a monthly observation of the crescent.
- Using different technical means for observing the crescent, as well as support the project to use a plane for observing the crescent.
- Support of the Islamic Crescents' Observation Project (ICOP), headed by the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, and the Jordanian Astronomical Society.
- Emphasize on the recommendation of the First Islamic Astronomical Conference, being held in the year 1999 in Amman, with regard to the carrying out of studies of evaluating the percentages of errors in the determination of the beginnings of Hejric months in the Islamic states during the past decades.
- Request from the mass media to publish scientific information about the different astronomical phenomena, e.g. the times of moonrise & moonset.
- Sending of a thanks letter His Majesty the King -May Allah protect him-, and ask him to re-open the Institute for Astronomy and Space Sciences (Aal-al-Bayt University), because its importance in the field of astronomy and space sciences.
- Inclusion of astronomical scientific subjects in the [teaching] programs of the faculty of Shari'a for a general spreading of an astronomical education, because of the direct relation it is bearing to the sciences of Shari'a.
- Publication of the important discussions of the Conference, supported by the Jordanian Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
- The Conference hopes from the Jordanian Ministry of Islamic Affairs for a continuation of its plans to establish an astronomical planetarium near the cave of the cavemen in the region of Ar-Raqeem in Amman, because of its Islamic perspectives, significance and importance.
- Holding an Islamic Astronomical Conference every two years in Amman, organized by the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, because of its great advantages and its clear successes.
- Sending of the conference's papers and its recommendations to the Ministries of Islamic Affairs, and to the interested authorities.
Last but not least, all the members having participated in this blessed conference present many thanks and appreciation to the president and members of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, as well as the Jordanian Astronomical Society, His Excellency, Eng. Khalil Konsul, and all his colleagues, for what they expended of administrative efforts and excellent measures for the taking place and the success of this conference.
They present as well their thanks and deep respect to His Eminence, the patron of the conference, Dr. Ahmad Halayyel, and the cadre of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs for their cooperation for a successful end of the conference.
They present as well their high esteem to those who supported the taking place of the conference by financial efforts, namely:
- His Excellency, Sheikh Salman bin Jabr Althani / Qatar.
- Grand Palace Hotel.
- Royal Jordanian (RJ).
- The High Council for Sciences and Technology
- Shoman Foundation.
- The Ministry of Education
- The Arab Potash Company
- The Jordanian Islamic Bank
Because they all contributed to the successful end of this conference, may Allah reward them the Good. Till we meet again at the Third Islamic Astronomical Conference, Inshalla.
May Allah reward us all success
[ Back to JAS' Home Page ]
Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS), All Rights Reserved. For more information Send E-mail or contact us at :
The Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS), P.O.Box 141568, Amman 11814 Jordan