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Ultimately, this\u202fprogramme is about giving people the tools and capability to connect their communities to the cosmos, and I am\u202fvery excited\u202fthat we have been able to bring it to life.<\/p>\n
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\nDr Alexander, Physics and Astronomy
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The project is inspired by Cambridge PhD candidate, Imad Ahmed, whose research focuses on the Islamic lunar calendar debate in the UK, and who co-leads the curriculum design for the Moonsighters Academy. He\u2019s also director of the New Crescent Society<\/a>.<\/p>\n The project is a collaboration between the Faculty of Divinity and Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge<\/a> and the School of Physics and Astronomy<\/a> at Leeds.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Creating communities of astronomers\u00a0<\/p>\n Imad said: \u201cMy hope is that Muslim communities across the UK will end up having a co-ordinated way of celebrating religious festivals that all of them can share in. The project is truly inter-disciplinary, bringing science and social history together.<\/p>\n \u201cBy having a community of astronomers capable of conducting their own lunar observations here in the UK, we\u2019ll be able to stop relying on word from abroad and eliminate much of the confusion that surrounds key milestones in the Islamic calendar.<\/p>\n \u201cMuslims in the past have had a strong connection to astronomy and what I want is for us to go from moon-fighting to moonsighting to moon-uniting.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The programme kicked off with a two-day residential training session at Leeds, bringing together participants from across the UK. It will expand through online sessions and resources, and a peer support network to enable communities to host their own local moon gazing events.\u202f\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Mohammed Attaur said: \u201cI wanted to join this programme because it connects faith, science and culture and it\u2019s trying to tackle a genuine problem in the community. I\u2019m keen to contribute to this noble ambition of unifying the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m hoping by the end of the nine months I will be fully equipped and skilled to lead a moonsighting group in Rochdale, make it fun and retrain other people so that the momentum keeps going and that in due course we will have our own little community of moonsighters in our town.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Astrophysicist Dr Emma Alexander<\/a>, Research Fellow at Leeds and project co-lead, said: \u201cOne of my favourite aspects of working in astronomy is being able to share it with others, especially when I can help ignite sparks of curiosity about our Universe and shake off stereotypes of who astronomers are.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI am particularly excited that our cohort includes some brilliant female students at the start of their careers in astronomy and related fields; they are part of our next generation of excellence in British science, who will inspire others.\u202fUltimately, this\u202fprogramme is about giving people the tools and capability to connect their communities to the cosmos, and I am\u202fvery excited\u202fthat we have been able to bring it to life.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Combining science and culture\u00a0<\/p>\n Erin McNeill, Physics Outreach Officer at Leeds, said: \u201cWe’ve brought together an amazing cohort from across the UK and created a space where community, culture and astronomy sit side by side. We believe that everyone is an astronomer, in their own way, and that looking up at the night sky together is one of the most powerful ways to connect science with everyday life.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n The 38 participants are community leaders from all over the UK and include imams, schoolteachers, scout leaders and at least one grandmother, with an even split between male and female. The course will build skills and empower moonsighters to conduct lunar observations in their own localities and spread the extra knowledge they\u2019ve learned among their peers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Participants were asked how and why they began to pay attention to lunar cycles. Several said having young children had increased their awareness of the natural world, while one recalled they had first started looking for the moon during the pandemic, finding it an enjoyable outdoor activity. While astronomy can be a solo endeavour, the cohort is united in wanting to get more people engaged in the quest for each new Moon.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West, joined\u00a0Professor Nick Plant<\/a>, Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at Leeds, on a Leadership Panel at the event. She said: \u201cThe work that is being done here, on the Moonsighters Academy project, is second to none: it\u2019s inspiring.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Professor Plant said: \u201cThis unique project, which includes basic astronomy training for leaders from across the Muslim community, has the potential to be transformative for neighbourhoods across the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe University of Leeds is committed to working with communities, and civic engagement, knowledge exchange and collaboration sits at the heart of our research.<\/p>\n This academy brings together scientific understanding, cultural practice, and community leadership enabling us to work with communities to bring real benefits to society.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/800x400-0-0-1-80-Untitled_design__64_.jpg\"\/)
\nMoonsighters Academy participants with Dr Alexander (far right), between the University\u2019s rooftop telescope domes.
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\nDr Alexander leads a Moonsighters Academy workshop
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