16 October 2003
RIYADH — The contribution of early Muslim scholars to the development of mathematics and astronomy is impressive: In the 9th century, Muhammad Al-Khuwarizmi wrote the first book on algebra as well as a treatise on arithmetic that introduced Arabic numerals to the West. His contemporary Thabit ibn Qurrah helped lay the founding principles of integral calculus, while another group of mathematicians, including Abu Ali ibn Al-Haytham and Muhammad ibn Jabir Al-Battani, went on to develop spherical astronomy.
The achievements of these scholars and their contributions to modern-day studies of the cosmos are a testament to the fact that astronomy is by no means a novel pursuit in this part of the world. But modern astronomy is still a developing field in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this month, the Geophysics and Astronomy Research Institute at King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) held the first Saudi seminar on astronomy. One of its objectives was to discuss the possibility of introducing astronomy as a subject in the national school curricula.
“We would like to develop astronomy in schools,” said Dr. Zaki Abdul Rahman Al-Mustafa, assistant director of the Geophysics and Astronomy Research Institute and head of the astronomy department. “At present, astronomy makes up only 5 percent of physics and math.”
There are two major universities in the Kingdom that offer a degree in astronomy, namely King Saud University in Riyadh and King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah. Dr. Al-Mustafa said there are no astronomy departments in any of the women’s universities. Research and teaching material is often out of date.
He said that the institute looked forward to the establishment of an astronomical society to help promote further interest and research in the subject.
Earlier this year, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd approved a resolution by the Council of Higher Education that called for the merging of the department of astronomy and the department of physics at King Saud University. The resulting department of physics and astronomy offers a master’s degree in astronomy, according to Dr. Ayman Al-Kurdi, an assistant professor in the department.
“If astronomy becomes a popular field of study in the Kingdom, and if the Ministry of Education introduces astronomy courses into school curriculums, then we will likely see more astronomy departments being established,” Dr. Al-Kurdi told Arab News.
Perhaps what is needed is a revival of the spirit of inquiry and exploration that once pervaded Islamic society.
Dr. Al-Kurdi, who attended the astronomy seminar, said the event was an important “first step to promote science and astronomy in the Kingdom.”
Thamer Uosef Al-Refay, who has an MA in space science from the Florida Institute of Technology, works as a researcher at the Astronomy Research Institute at KACST.
According to Thamer, the institute is involved in several different areas of study and research, including the study of cosmic rays and the effects of the solar wind on climate.
“We are also involved in crescent moon observations,” said Thamer.
These observations are made through observatories and portable telescopes. The astronomy department has seven lunar observatories as well as modern astronomical imaging tools such as CCD cameras.
Observation of the young crescent moon to mark the start of a new month in the Islamic calendar is only one of the many applications of astronomy in Islamic society. Astronomical calculations also help determine accurate prayer times as well as the direction of the Holy Kaaba from different geographic locations.
“We organized a seminar recently for high school students in Makkah,” Thamer said, one of the main topics being the recent Mars approach, when Mars made its nearest approach to Earth at 56 million km and blazed brilliantly in the night sky for much of August and September.
“They were all very excited and enjoyed the experience,” said Thamer.
Dr. Al-Kurdi said the department hosts an “open night” every Monday that is open to the public and includes slide shows and observing sessions as well as visits to a planetarium.
“We have the largest collection of posters and slides in the Arab world,” he said. The department also has two ancient astrolabes and two large telescopes.
“The first open night was organized 15 years ago and it continues to draw visitors,” said Dr. Al-Kurdi. “We have had about 35,000 visitors in the past seven years.”
The department also welcomes students from local schools to visit the department during a special daily session from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Among the recommendations of the Riyadh Economic Forum last week was a call for greater emphasis on science and creative thinking.
The special place of astronomy in the fold of Islam has led some Muslim scientists and religious scholars to call for a renewed interest in scientific inquiry and greater understanding of the laws of the universe.
RIYADH — The contribution of early Muslim scholars to the development of mathematics and astronomy is impressive: In the 9th century, Muhammad Al-Khuwarizmi wrote the first book on algebra as well as a treatise on arithmetic that introduced Arabic numerals to the West. His contemporary Thabit ibn Qurrah helped lay the founding principles of integral calculus, while another group of mathematicians, including Abu Ali ibn Al-Haytham and Muhammad ibn Jabir Al-Battani, went on to develop spherical astronomy.
The achievements of these scholars and their contributions to modern-day studies of the cosmos are a testament to the fact that astronomy is by no means a novel pursuit in this part of the world. But modern astronomy is still a developing field in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this month, the Geophysics and Astronomy Research Institute at King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) held the first Saudi seminar on astronomy. One of its objectives was to discuss the possibility of introducing astronomy as a subject in the national school curricula.
“We would like to develop astronomy in schools,” said Dr. Zaki Abdul Rahman Al-Mustafa, assistant director of the Geophysics and Astronomy Research Institute and head of the astronomy department. “At present, astronomy makes up only 5 percent of physics and math.”
There are two major universities in the Kingdom that offer a degree in astronomy, namely King Saud University in Riyadh and King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah. Dr. Al-Mustafa said there are no astronomy departments in any of the women’s universities. Research and teaching material is often out of date.
He said that the institute looked forward to the establishment of an astronomical society to help promote further interest and research in the subject.
Earlier this year, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd approved a resolution by the Council of Higher Education that called for the merging of the department of astronomy and the department of physics at King Saud University. The resulting department of physics and astronomy offers a master’s degree in astronomy, according to Dr. Ayman Al-Kurdi, an assistant professor in the department.
“If astronomy becomes a popular field of study in the Kingdom, and if the Ministry of Education introduces astronomy courses into school curriculums, then we will likely see more astronomy departments being established,” Dr. Al-Kurdi told Arab News.
Perhaps what is needed is a revival of the spirit of inquiry and exploration that once pervaded Islamic society.
Dr. Al-Kurdi, who attended the astronomy seminar, said the event was an important “first step to promote science and astronomy in the Kingdom.”
Thamer Uosef Al-Refay, who has an MA in space science from the Florida Institute of Technology, works as a researcher at the Astronomy Research Institute at KACST.
According to Thamer, the institute is involved in several different areas of study and research, including the study of cosmic rays and the effects of the solar wind on climate.
“We are also involved in crescent moon observations,” said Thamer.
These observations are made through observatories and portable telescopes. The astronomy department has seven lunar observatories as well as modern astronomical imaging tools such as CCD cameras.
Observation of the young crescent moon to mark the start of a new month in the Islamic calendar is only one of the many applications of astronomy in Islamic society. Astronomical calculations also help determine accurate prayer times as well as the direction of the Holy Kaaba from different geographic locations.
“We organized a seminar recently for high school students in Makkah,” Thamer said, one of the main topics being the recent Mars approach, when Mars made its nearest approach to Earth at 56 million km and blazed brilliantly in the night sky for much of August and September.
“They were all very excited and enjoyed the experience,” said Thamer.
Dr. Al-Kurdi said the department hosts an “open night” every Monday that is open to the public and includes slide shows and observing sessions as well as visits to a planetarium.
“We have the largest collection of posters and slides in the Arab world,” he said. The department also has two ancient astrolabes and two large telescopes.
“The first open night was organized 15 years ago and it continues to draw visitors,” said Dr. Al-Kurdi. “We have had about 35,000 visitors in the past seven years.”
The department also welcomes students from local schools to visit the department during a special daily session from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Among the recommendations of the Riyadh Economic Forum last week was a call for greater emphasis on science and creative thinking.
The special place of astronomy in the fold of Islam has led some Muslim scientists and religious scholars to call for a renewed interest in scientific inquiry and greater understanding of the laws of the universe.
Muniza Ali
© Arab News 2003
