The Head of the Observatory of Islamic Astronomy (OIF) at UMSU and Chair of the Islamic Astronomy Study Program, Faculty of Islamic Studies at UMSU, Dr. Arwin Juli Rakhmadi Butar-Butar, MA, was specially invited by the Office of the Mufti of Sarawak, Malaysia, to speak at a seminar titled “Inspirasi Warisan Samarkand Memacu Ummah Maju” (Inspiration from the Samarkand Legacy for Advancing the Ummah). The seminar was held on Thursday, August 21, at the Parkcity Everly Hotel, Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
The seminar was officially opened by Sahibus Samahah Datu Haji Kipli bin Haji Yasin (Mufti of Sarawak) and Datuk Haji Misnu bin Tahah (President of the Sarawak Islamic Council).
On this occasion, Dr. Arwin presented a paper entitled “Madrasah Ulugh Bek (Observatory, Zij, and Ulugh Bek’s Works),” highlighting the remarkable contributions of Ulugh Bek to the advancement of Islamic astronomy and civilization, particularly through his observatory, the Zij manuscript, and his various scholarly works.
The seminar was attended by astronomy experts from Sarawak, mufti officials from various regions, students, and the general public. Dr. Arwin’s presence as a speaker is expected to strengthen academic collaboration between Indonesia and Malaysia in the development of Islamic astronomy and the preservation of Islamic intellectual heritage.
