432 The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 9 3 Seminars. Conferences. Addresses World Conference on the International Islamic Calendar Tbe Astronomical Research Unit University of Science Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia Rabi- al Awwal29 - RabF al &hir 1,1412Kktober 8-10,1992 The University of Science Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia, and the Organi- zation of Islamic Confetence’s Standing Committee on Scientific and Techno- logical Cooperation (COMSTECH), tecently otganized and hosted the World Conference on the Intemational Islamic Calendar. The theme, “Towads a Unified World Islamic Calendar,” was discussed during eight sessions by an international audience consisting of about two hundred dignitaries, ulama, policymakers, scientists, and professionals from twenty-five countries and ten major international organizations. It was also genemusly sponsored by fifteen other agencies, including the Intemational Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT). The conference was opened by Tun Dato’ Sen Haji Hamdan Sheikh Tahit, head of the State of Penang. This matked the initiation of the syste- matic implementation process for the intemational Islamic calendar. Dato’ Haji Musa Mohammad, vice Chancellor of the University of Science Malaysia and conference chainnan, thanked the planners in his welcoming address. He was followed by M. A. Kazi and Ambassador M. Mohsin, who addtessed the confetence on behalf of COMSTECH and OIC respectively. Kazi stressed the importance of developing a uniform and systematic intemtional Islamic lunar calendar through continued and detailed study by those qualified to do so. Ambassador Mohsin pointed out the need to unify the existing calendam in the Muslim world. The OIC, he said, is in the process of making this a tegular priority item in its agenda and is ready to give its full support. The keynote addtess, “Internationalizing the Islamic Calendar: The Chal- lenge of a New Centuty,” was delivered by Mohammad Ilyas. He highlighted some of the work that had gone into developing the calendar program, ex- plained what progress has been made on predicting the new moon’s visibility, and related how this can be used for an international Islamic calendar. He also focused on the interrelation of science, the Shati‘ah, and policy and its implication for the question of implementation. The conference also heard reports from members in Australia, Nigeria, Tanzania, the United States, Egypt, Itan, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, B m e i , Indonesia, Malaysia, Seminars, Conferences, Addresses 433 Myanmar/Burma, Singapore, and Taiwan. Each person spoke about his/her country’s current calendrical practices, technical support, and organizational system. Relevant issues for further consideration were also raised. A general overview was compiled and duly noted in order to coordinate and s t d i n e the various activities in line with one of the conference objectives. On the second day, the scientific and the Shari’ah aspects of an intema- tional Islamic calendar were discussed. The scientific aspect was elaborated upon by Ilyas, and the Shari‘ah aspects were dealt with by Muhammad Bur- hanuddin and ?’* J. a1 ‘AlwiM, whose paper was read by Anis Ahmad. A. R. Khan Azhari gave additional comments that strongly supported the use of mathematical and astronomical computing in sighting the hikTI. Speakers raised issues related to the integration of these two aspects, and an overall agreement was achieved: scientists and Shari‘ah scholars will cooperak in the pre- paration of clear and concise guidelines for establishing a firm basis for im- plementing imkcin aZ ru ’yah (naked-eye sightability). Some concerted regional efforts were also agreed upon so that the f&bility of developing an all- purpose Islamic calendar could be verified, reviewed, and impmved. The next two sessions were on coordinating efforts at the global and the regional levels. The former was i n t d u c e d by Ambassador Mohsin (OIC) and M. A. Kazi (COMSTECH), each of whom explained the OIC’s political and scientific mechanisms. Abdullah 0. Nassef (Rabitah) spoke on the Islamic Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Global System.The overall views ex- ptessed during these two sessions showed overwhelming support for a global implementation, although there are still a few outstanding k u e s requiring further research. The speakers agreed to implement the Islamic calendar at various regional levels, including Muslim minorities and regional NGOs, inter-Islamic cooperation on science, technology, and intergovernmental set- ups. These were affirmed by Datuk Haji Ahmad Notdin (RISEAP), Arafat R. Altamemi (IFSTAD), and Haji Yaakob Lazim (Malaysia) who delivered papers on these three aspects respectively. This day also marked the official opening of the Sheikh Tahir Astmnom- ical centre (Pusat Falak Sheikh Tahir) at Pantai Acheh, Penang. Originally known as Pantai Acheh Astronomical Centre, it was officially renamed to honor Muhammad ?‘&it Jaliil a1 Din a1 Falaki a1 Azhan; a noted ‘ d i m and fuqzl, a regional pioneer in Islamic astronomy, and the first religious scholar to use logarithms in his calendrical calculation system. The third day feat& papers on the implementation mechanisms encom- passing scientific mearch and the review process. Ilyas again highlighted the need for such implementation mechanisms and suggested some action plans. This was supported by Muhammad Baghdadi (Morocco) and Abdul Rahman I. Doi (Malaysia) in their outlines, respectively, of the availability of scientific 434 The American Joumd of Islamic Social Sciences 9 3 and Islamic research centers. The speakers identified what they saw as funda- mental issues and ate8s for improvement and future undertakings, particularly in terms of funding, technical facilities, and manpower. The sixth session focused on issues related to networking, i.e., the use of computers, information technology, and other m u r c e needs. The first aspect was dealt with by M. Jamil Sherif (UK), whose ideas were expanded and pre- sented by M. M. Qurashi (Pakistan). Naeem A. Khan (COMSTECH) spoke on the second aspect and the implementation of a working s t ~ c t u r e and plan for resource planning. The conference adopted several resolutions: a) all Muslims, whether on an individual, governmental, or organizational level, should use i m h al ru 'yuh; b) astronomical calculations should be used when necessary; c) inter- national Islamic organizations should mobilize resources and support for an international network of research and development institutions to further this process; d) universities and institutions of higher learning should offer courses in astronomy; and e) hijrfdates should be used alongside Georgian ones. This conference is the latest step in a multiyear process. Beginning with the establishment of the International Islamic Calendar Programme (IICP) at the University of Science Malaysia (USM), it has gone through three distinct phases. Phase I (1974-83) identified the problems and undertook scientific re- search which resulted in a) a lunar visibility criterion review; b) a global pre- diction model; c) the discovery of the International Lunar Date Line (ILDC); d) data dissemination; and e) the implementation initiatives. Phase I1 (1984- 89) saw efforts related to global networking and exposition, such as organized global data di~semination (books, charts, and circulars), regional and national institutional and expository seminars, and discussion meetings at the profes- sional level. Phase I11 (1990-94) is concerned with the intemational imple- mentation and review of the program and involves the Muslim political ma- chinery at the national, regional, and global levels, as well as scientific and religious professionals. This phase was initiated by the World Conference on the International Islamic Calendar. Mohammad Ilyas Head, Astronomy and Atmospheric Research Unit Univetsity of Science Malaysia Penang, Malaysia