Muscat – Oman Space and Astronomical Society (OSAS) has successfully completed a visit to Tanzania aimed at promoting astronomy, moonsighting standardisation and citizen science outreach.
Led by OSAS board member Abdulwahab Sulaiman al Busaidi and UK-based expert in Islamic moonsighting Ibrahim Jaafar, the visit included lectures, meetings with religious scholars, and strategic partnerships with government and religious institutions.
The lectures covered topics ranging from galaxy formation to satellite communications, highlighting astronomy’s role in national development and youth empowerment through citizen science.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, Busaidi, who delivered a lecture titled ‘Astronomy and Faith: Bridging Science and Islam’, said, “Our goal was not only to share knowledge but to plant the seeds of long-term collaboration in space science between Oman and Tanzania. Faith and science are not opposites. When aligned, they enhance our understanding of the universe and enrich spiritual practices.”
The delegation’s itinerary included key academic institutions, such as Zanzibar State University, Karume Institute of Science and Technology and Sumait University.
A major highlight of the visit was a presentation on moonsighting and astronomy at Zanzibar Grand Mosque, where Busaidi discussed the Islamic importance of unified lunar observations using scientific tools.
The visit also included a high-profile event at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam attended by senior officials – Oman’s Ambassador to Tanzania H E Saud al Shidhani and the Deputy Mufti of Tanzania. The event also featured a meeting with President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi of Zanzibar.
“Tanzania has the potential to become a space science leader in Africa. This is not just science diplomacy – it’s a shared vision of enlightenment,” said Busaidi.
He added that the visit included a proposal to establish the Zanzibar Astronomy and Space Society and involve Tanzanian students in NASA’s International Astronomical Search Collaboration.