Qiblah and Prayers in Space
As it prepares to send its first astronaut to space soon, Malaysia is seeking answers to important questions on determining prayer times and the Qiblah in space. Over 150 astronauts, scholars, academicians and professionals came together last month to find answers to these and other questions. The two-day conference was organised by Malaysia’s National Space Agency (Angkasa). Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 34, Dr Faiz Khaleed, 26, S. Vanajah, 35, and pilot, Mohammed Faiz Kamaluddin, 34, have been short-listed to be selected as Malaysia’s first astronaut. Two of the four, who include three Muslims, will be trained by Russia before one is chosen to participate in the expedition of its spaceship to the International Space Station (ISS) next October. Angkasa Director-General, Mazlan Othman said the ISS would circle the earth 16 times in 24 hours (which means there will be 16 daylights and 16 nights a day). And under the circumstances, it would affect Muslim astronauts in performing their prayers. The agreement to send a Malaysian aboard the Russian spacecraft was part of a billion-dollar deal to buy 18 Sukhoi 30-MKM fighter jets.