Training the UK’s next generation of Moonsighting leaders

A new multidisciplinary astronomy course for Muslim leaders in the UK, with New Crescent Society’s Imad Ahmed, and astronomers and experts from Cambridge University’s Institute of Astronomy, and the University of Leeds.  

Delivered through a mix of online and in-person sessions in Leeds and Cambridge, this 9-month course will cover: 

• The science of the Islamic calendar: Understanding the astronomical underpinnings of the calendar, how to sight the moon, lunar phases and visibility, using astronomical data, apps, and optical aids
• Islamic and cultural dimensions: Exploring the religious and social questions surrounding the Islamic calendar in the UK and beyond.
• Community leadership & communication: Learning how to engage local communities, build networks, present to an audience, train and inspire others

 We are training moonsighting leaders who are excited by the prospect of:

• leading moonsightings in their own area
• training local lunar observation groups within their own community
• sharing best practice within a national network of practitioners
• working towards a united Islamic calendar in the UK

Latest news

On site training in Leeds was completed in early January, in spite of tricky weather conditions. BBC Radio Leeds interviewed some of those involved and the resulting feature was also broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday programme that weekend (11 January). The Universities also put out a joint press release, and one of the Hyphen media team came along to capture the activity.

Trainees carried out a successful networked moonsighting to greet the month of Shaban on 20 January, with several participating in the New Crescent Society’s livestream. Several of the cohort participated in media interviews including Haseef speaking to the BBC in the East of England, and Muminah speaking to the BBC in London.

The next sighting will be high profile as it marks the beginning of Ramadan. Trainees are working together to plan and host sightings in their locality. Online training continues on 6 February, with the new crescent expected on 18 February. 

Searching for “sunset in [town or city]” can be a helpful way to find known view points locally.

Course structure, commitments and key dates

• Once a month: online 90-minute weekend/evening training sessions with astronomers and academics from the Universities of Cambridge and Leeds, from December 2025–August 2026.
• Once a month: hands-on experience gained though monthly local moonsighting each month
• On site training sessions: Leeds(residential): Thursday 8 & Friday 9 January 2026; Cambridge: Monday 15 June 2026 (with evening lunar observation session with optical aids)

Note: There will be no online training sessions in January or June, as we will be meeting in person. Financial support will be provided for accommodation and travel.

This course is made possible by a Spark award from the UKRI Science & Technology Facilities Council (UKRI3296), with additional in-kind support from the University of Cambridge (Faculty of Divinity & Institute of Astronomy) and the University of Leeds.

For more about the project team, the principles behind this course, and answers to some frequently asked questions, see the left-hand menu.

Featured image: Includes an original photograph of the new crescent moon taken by Nirupam Sarker in 2014. Available from Wikimedia, CC by SA 4.0.