A lecture at the Scientific Club on observing the crescent between Sharia and astronomy

The Qatar Science Club, affiliated to the Ministry of Sports and Youth, in cooperation with the Qatar Center for Astronomy and Space Sciences, organized a scientific lecture entitled “The Crescent of Ramadan between Sharia and Astronomy” presented by His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Jabr Al Thani, President of the Qatar Astronomy Center.
At the beginning of the lecture, His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Jabor Al Thani explained the importance of Muslims turning to astronomy and observing the new moons because of its scientific benefit and positive impact, especially since every year the crescent of Ramadan and Sha’ban is sighted and monitored, and there is an expert, trained and appointed committee of experts. Before those in authority, and she has enough knowledge to be responsible for her decisions, pointing out that investigating the sighting of the crescent moons, especially the crescents of Ramadan and Shawwal, is a confirmed Sunnah and it is an obligation of sufficiency, meaning that some Muslims must do this until the sin falls on the rest.
The lecturer also talked about the conditions that should be met by the observer of the crescent, such as the necessity for him to know all the details and coordinates, such as the time and date of birth, the times of sunrise and sunset, the angle of sunset, the stay of the moon after sunset and the height of the moon above the horizon at that moment, so that it is easy for him to know the location of the crescent in the sky , and thus carefully monitored, indicating that there is a relationship between astronomy and religion in the subject of investigation, and that it is possible to use astronomy through calculations, but there is no alternative to the honorable Sunnah, which is seeing by natural and recognized methods, even if religious scholars approved the use of some modern devices that were not previously Like the telescope, there is nothing wrong with it as long as it is approved by reputable and recognized legal bodies.
The head of the Qatar Center for Astronomy called the attendees to stay away from information that is published by individuals or unofficial entities, as their opinions are personal and not based on approved research and not keeping pace with scientific development and not presented to specialists and experts in the field of religion and astronomy, warning against the information. Anonymous and unreliable that causes confusion in the community.