Discovering the sky: when Muslim spirituality meets astronomy

British amateur astronomy is getting a new lease of life thanks to an original initiative. At its head, Hamza Ilyas, a senior executive who knew how to transform his nocturnal passion into a unifying project.

It all started in 2023 with the installation of a modern observatory near Alton, Hampshire. Equipped with cutting-edge instruments, this center now allows hundreds of curious people to learn about observing the stars. The results are already there: detection of a supernova, remarkable photos of Andromeda praised by NASA, observation of exceptional aurora borealis.

“I want to share this science with as many people as possible,” confides this adopted New Yorker, whose project is particularly inspired by the rich Islamic astronomical tradition. An approach that particularly appeals to younger generations, as evidenced by the success of the observation sessions organized regularly.

The enthusiasm is such that the initiative is now attracting new talents. Among them, Abschar Ahmed and Amtul Tahir, two young women who now run educational programs. “Our shared fascination with the night sky reminds us of our shared humanity. In the immensity of the universe, what unites us is much stronger than what divides us,” underlines one of them. There is no shortage of ambitions: university partnerships, educational programs, research… The initiative could well reshape the landscape of amateur astronomy in the United Kingdom.