Muslims in space

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

I’ve long wondered about the direction where Muslims in a spot east of Mecca would pray. With Indonesia having so many Muslims for so long, I was sure someone would have worked that out by now. I’m impressed that the solution is so precise.

This answers most of what I’ve wondered about vis-à-vis Muslims’ prayer on Earth. But this still makes me wonder: when the first devout Muslim heads into space, how will the issue of facing Mecca be addressed then? Or has someone already figured that one out, too?

2

There is an active thread about the direction to Mecca in General Questions:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=41385

The issue of a Muslim in space is mentioned. Someone claimed that a Mulsim has already been in space, and was told he could face any direction.

Arjuna34

3 
 Oh, boy, *BIG* problem. Even if you had a computer to tell you what direction (certainly possible), it wouldn't do you any good--by the time you finished your prayers, it would be the wrong direction. I guess no good moslem can go to space.
4

That one’s easy. How about a hard one, like a Muslim on a Tilt-A-Whirl?

5

Oh my god! I laughed so hard I almost fell of the chair!

6

Thank you for posting your comment.
Please include a link to Cecil’s column if it’s on the straight dope web site.
To include a link, it can be as simple as including the web page location in your post (make sure there is a space before and after the text of the URL).

Cecil’s column can be found on-line at this link:
How do Muslims know which way to face when praying? (13-Oct-2000)

moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns»

7

I suspect that a Muslim in space would face nadir (down). As long as he/she’s facing Earth, that would be close enough.

8

The more important question is how does the Muslim kneel and bow in free fall orbit? :smiley:

9

At what time would said Muslim pray would also be an object of consideration.

10

Olentzero:
Spacecraft have traditionally been on UTC (Universal Coordinated Time), so the time of prayer isn’t all that big a deal. The direction is, though, and I have no idea about that.

11

Damn conservatives, sure, all us commies look alike to you.

12

What time do the astronauts use in space?

and the ensuing discussion

[dangit, I’m not supposed to mess up links anymore!]