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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
It is our pleasure to welcome you to the official website of the Arab Regional Office of Astronomy for Development — Arab-ROAD, and the Arabic Language Expertise Center — Arab-LOAD, both of which are part of the network of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development — IAU-OAD.
From Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, our official journey began on 2–3 December 2015, marking the joining of the Arab Regional Office and the Arabic Language Expertise Center to a global network that believes astronomy is not only a scientific field of knowledge, but also a civilizational tool for education, development, capacity building, and dialogue among peoples.
The Office takes pride in serving as an inclusive Arab umbrella that brings together 18 Arab countries, working collectively to advance astronomy and space sciences, promote scientific culture, empower youth, students, researchers, and amateur astronomers, and connect the Arab community with leading international initiatives in astronomy for development.
Since its establishment, the Office has sought to serve as an active bridge between Arab scientific institutions and their counterparts around the world. This has been achieved through supporting educational programs, organizing lectures and workshops, encouraging astronomical observation, developing scientific content in Arabic, promoting the participation of youth and women, and strengthening awareness of dark skies, astrotourism, and inclusive science communication.
The Arabic Language Expertise Center also works to bring astronomical knowledge closer to the Arabic-speaking reader by supporting Arabization, developing scientific terminology, and facilitating access to educational resources for students, teachers, and interested communities, thereby enhancing the presence of the Arabic language in modern scientific fields.
Our mission is not limited to local or regional activities. It extends to cooperation with similar regional offices and language expertise centers within the global OAD network, through the exchange of expertise, the development of joint initiatives, and the expansion of astronomy’s impact on sustainable development. We believe that the sky, in its vastness and beauty, is a shared language of humanity, and that astronomy has the power to inspire generations and open new horizons for science, knowledge, and innovation.
This website will serve as your window into the Office’s news, programs, activities, partnerships, and opportunities for participation and cooperation. It will also provide a platform for communication with researchers, enthusiasts, amateur astronomers, and educational and scientific institutions across the Arab world and beyond.
We warmly welcome you all and invite you to be partners in this journey; a journey that makes astronomy a science of enlightenment, the Arabic language a vessel of knowledge, and Arab and international cooperation a path toward a brighter future.
May Allah grant us success.
Dr. Awni Mohammad Al-Khasawneh
Executive Director
Arab Regional Office of Astronomy for Development
and Arabic Language Expertise Center