Inspired by Separated by Millennia, our exhibition of paintings by Leicester artist Sarah al-Sarraj at Two Queens Gallery, we present a day of activity dedicated to astronomy and Islam in collaboration with the New Crescent Society at The National Space Centre.

The Programme

11:45am: Artist Talk 

A talk from Sarah Al-Sarraj exploring world building and conceptions of space and time from the global majority, with a focus on Islamic and Arabian history and folklore. Her presentation will touch on navigation methods native to the Arabian peninsula, cartography, deep time, determinism and Black Quantum Futurism.

This talk will take place in the National Space Centre’s ‘Live Space’.

12:30pm: Zine Making Workshop

A science fiction zine making workshop by Sarah Al-Sarraj and Jessica El Mal. This creative workshop will introduce the concept of world building to participants using examples on view at the Centre. Participants are invited to make their own zines using collage.

1:30pm: Islamic Astronomy talk

New Crescent Society, a Muslim community-led astronomy organisation, present a guide to looking at the sky and finding the new crescent moon, a significant practice for Muslim communities around the world.

This talk will take place in the National Space Centre’s ‘Live Space’.

2:20pm: Astronomy and Islam Tour of the Night sky planetarium show

At 2.20 we will take a tour of the night sky will highlight some of the links between Arabic astronomy in the centre’s amazing planetarium and some of the constellations visible in the sky at the moment.

3pm: Talk from Imad from New Cresent Society

To finish the day we will hear more about Imad’s research.

All activities are included within the cost of a day ticket to the National Space Centre, which grants you unlimited access to the Centre for the entire year. Tickets cost up to £19.95.