The recent astronomy of the Arab countries began by the last decade of the 19th century in Alger and the first decade of the 20th century in Helwan. Two Arab countries have been members of the IAU, namely Egypt (since 1925) and Iraq (since 1976). Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Morocco became members in 1988. We restrict ourselves here to the teaching and popularizing of astronomy.

In Egypt there is a single department of astronomy; since 1937 it has belonged to the Faculty of Science of Cairo University. A B.Sc. in astronomy requires two years’ study of mathematics and physics followed by two more years devoted mainly to astronomy, including a small project. Elementary courses for other sciences, such as geography and geophysics, are also taught at Cairo University and the American University in Cairo.