Saudi Arabia, which has been making an effort over the past decade to produce more scientists, has been struggling with how to approach the science of investigating outer space.
During the past 30 years, the Kingdom has only produced 25 astronomers.
As NASA’s Curiosity Rover collects data on Mars daily and there is a renewed interest in the US in returning to the moon, the need to know about the stars, moons and planets appears to have taken a backseat among Saudi Arabia’s future scientists.
Some astronomers say one reason behind the low number of Saudis in the profession is the confusion among Muslims between astronomers and astrologists.
Astronomers study the universe. Astrologers attempt to predict the future by interpreting the stars.
“There is a tendency to mix up astronomy with astrology, which is commonly related to things such as fortune telling and horoscopes signs, which is forbidden by Islam,” said Majed Abu Zara, head of Astronomical Society in Jeddah.
“Astronomy is fundamentally and completely different from astrology,” said Mulehim Hindi, an astronomer and researcher at King Abdulaziz University Astronomy Department. “Astronomy is based on mathematical calculations, and perhaps without this knowledge, human beings were not going to be able to place satellites into the orbit, land on the moon, and send unmanned vehicles to Mars, or determine prayer times accurately and the start of the lunar months.”
Saleh Mohammed, general supervisor of the National Center of Astronomy, said there are moral issues.
“In general, disregard of astronomers’ opinion is the biggest moral obstacle facing them in the field,” Mohammed said. “Decision-makers view astronomy as luxury and not a necessary science.”
He said those decision-makers are unaware of astronomy as a science and the nature of scientists’ work.
“The problem of confusing astronomy for astrology has created a negative impact on astronomy’s reputation as a science,” Mohammed said. “It also shook people’s confidence in it and in accepting its outcomes.”
‘A’ for astronomy: Only 25 KSA stars shine in 30 years
‘A’ for astronomy: Only 25 KSA stars shine in 30 years
SDAIA president says Saudi Arabia is building an integrated AI ecosystem
RIYADH: Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority President Abdullah Al-Ghamdi says that Saudi Arabia is moving steadily to establish artificial intelligence as a trusted national capability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Guided by the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, Al-Ghamdi said the goal is to use AI to help develop government services, enhance competitiveness, build human capacity and improve quality of life through a comprehensive strategy based on three main pillars that unlock the potential of this technology and achieve sustainable developmental impact.
“The first pillar focuses on building human capacity and enhancing readiness to engage with AI technologies,” he said.
The second pillar is building an integrated national AI ecosystem that drives expansion and innovation by developing advanced digital infrastructure that enables various sectors to adopt AI applications efficiently, consistently and with effective governance, Al-Ghamdi said.
The third pillar, he said, is governance that ensures responsible and measurable AI through a national framework aligned with international standards.
This came during Al-Ghamdi’s speech at a high-level ministerial session held on Thursday on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
He is heading the Saudi delegation, and the session saw broad participation from heads of state, decision-makers and technology leaders from around the world.
Al-Ghamdi also had a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening, discussed AI cooperation and expressed his gratitude for hosting the summit and for the hospitality extended to the participants.
