Sharjah International Foundation for the History of Arab and Muslim Sciences

As part of its ongoing scientific activities throughout the academic year, The Sharjah International Foundation for the History of Arab and Muslim Sciences organized its eighth international scientific forum, titled "Abu Mahmoud Hamid ibn al-Khidr al-Khujandi (4th Hijri Century – 10th CE): His Life, Works, and Uses of the Astrolabe." The event was attended by a number of researchers and graduate students from the University of Sharjah, with participation from the Sharjah Academy of Space Science and Technology, Al Dhaid University, the Islamic Manuscripts House, the Sharjah Museums Authority, and the Arab Heritage Center at the Sharjah Institute of Heritage.

During the opening of the forum, Professor Dr. Yusuf Al-Hayek, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Sharjah, welcomed the speakers and participants, emphasizing the importance of the forum's theme, which serves as a bridge connecting the past with the present. He stressed the significance of exploring important scientific figures in Islamic history, adding that studying the contributions of Muslim scholars in the field of astronomy, especially the astrolabe, holds historical and cultural importance. It serves to document the scientific achievements of Islamic civilization in astronomy and mathematics, highlights the role of Muslim scientists in developing astronomy and its tools, and enhances the scientific and cultural identity of the Islamic nation. In his closing remarks, he emphasized that the exchange of knowledge and expertise between academic and research institutions is the best way to enrich the scientific and intellectual scene in the Arab and Islamic world. He hoped the forum would serve as an ideal platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences among researchers and specialists from around the world.

On his part, Professor Dr. Mesut Idris, Director of The Sharjah International Foundation for the History of Arab and Muslim Sciences, highlighted the importance of the astrolabe, which was significantly developed and utilized by the astronomer Abu Mahmoud Hamid ibn al-Khidr al-Khujandi, making him one of the most important astronomers of his time. His contributions are still studied and appreciated in the present day. Dr. Mesut added that the astrolabe could be used to simplify astronomy concepts for school students, in addition to accurately determining prayer times, the direction of the qibla, calculating the start of lunar months, and understanding the movement of celestial bodies and their impact on the Islamic calendar. He further stated that introducing students to the astrolabe and its uses would enhance their confidence in Islamic scientific heritage, motivate young Muslims to engage with science and innovation, and build scientific links between the past and the present. During the forum, Professor Jan P. Hogendijk, Mr. Wilfred de Graaf, and Mr. Tom Regingoudt from Utrecht University in the Netherlands delivered a series of lectures on the life and works of Abu Mahmoud Hamid ibn al-Khidr al-Khujandi. They discussed his contributions to the development of astronomy and the astrolabe during the 4th Hijri century, his advancements in improving the accuracy of astronomical measurements, and his success in developing new methods for calculating latitudes and longitudes, which contributed to the advancement of navigation and geography. They also talked about his rich scientific legacy through his numerous works on the astrolabe and its uses and provided a comprehensive workshop on the development of the astrolabe throughout the ages and its practical uses.