11 January 2026
By Jack Conlon, Yorkshire
A pioneering project at the University of Leeds is training Muslim community leaders across the UK in the centuries-old practice of moonsighting, aiming to resolve long-standing disputes over the Islamic calendar.
The Moonsighters Academy, developed in partnership with the New Crescent Society and the University of Cambridge, is the first course of its kind in Britain. Over nine months, 38 participants — including imams, teachers, artists and business owners — will learn how to observe the crescent moon using modern telescopes and traditional methods.
Moonsighting has historically determined the start of Islamic months, including Ramadan and Eid. However, cloudy weather in Britain has led many mosques to rely on reports from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Morocco. This reliance has often caused divisions, with communities celebrating religious events on different days.
Project coordinator Imad Ahmed said the initiative seeks to “bring the moon back home and into our own eyesight,” adding: “I want to go from moon fighting to moonsighting and moon uniting.”
Participants will use the University of Leeds’ rooftop observatory and advanced 35cm telescopes. Dr Emma Alexander, astronomer and project co-lead, said the programme highlights the cultural importance of astronomy: “It’s about sparking curiosity and showing how different communities interact with our night sky.”
For many, the course is also personal. Aliyah Khan, a science teacher, explained: “Growing up, our mosques never agreed on dates for Ramadan or Eid. It was isolating. This project bridges scientific knowledge with Islamic practice.”
The Academy began in December and will run until autumn, with hopes that local moonsighting will reduce confusion, strengthen unity, and revive the Islamic tradition of astronomy in Britain.
