# Muslims in space **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 27, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806 "2009-05-27T16:41:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/1 "2009-05-27T16:41:46Z")
Of the observant variety, of course. Not just nominal muslims. Have there been any? How could you handle the requirements of prayer during a mission? Aiming at Mecca is easy. A gyroscope will tell you the way and you can float, so it doesn’t matter that the floor is not on the right plane. Are LEO runs fast enough that keeping aim would be an issue? (I presume that on a Moon or Mars mission, just aiming at Earth is close enough) What I think is the important issue is the timing. Can you build a mission schedule around all the breaks that would be needed for prayer? Can you be excused from prayer for something as pressing as a mission critical EVA? Is there wiggle room in time for prayer? Diet is, I presume, a non-issue. (and I have a nagging feeling that we have done this one before, btw. If so, links would be appreciated) ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/2 "2009-05-27T16:49:00Z")
This might help: [http://www.unholylegacy.woerlee.org/images/review-islam-space.pdf](http://www.unholylegacy.woerlee.org/images/review-islam-space.pdf) Here’s the booklet: > **[A Guideline Ibadah at Iss | PDF | International Space Station | Spaceflight](https://www.scribd.com/document/6652891/A-Guideline-Ibadah-at-Iss)** > > Muslim guideline during the stay in the space ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/3 "2009-05-27T16:55:22Z")
Am I the only one who finds this combination of leading edge technology and religious superstition weird? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/4 "2009-05-27T16:58:19Z")
[Conference on the subject](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qibla). Link taken from [this previous thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=446675). Other previous threads. [Can Islam survive in space?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=436983) [Colonizing Space and Islam](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=171597) ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/5 "2009-05-27T17:01:32Z")
Thanks for the links. > [@Dog80](#): > > Am I the only one who finds this combination of leading edge technology and religious superstition weird? :dubious: Maybe not the only one but finding it weird is far from consensus according to sci-fi at least. The idea of spacefaring muslims is rather common. And if you think about it, it won’t be long until the ESA and all its progress is inherited by the growing muslim community in Europe. It is bound to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/6 "2009-05-27T17:13:59Z")
Ok, after reading all the jokes about pointing towards Mecca, which is a problem of trivial solution, I guess the answer is that for current astronauts, they fall under the category of travellers and are dispensed from the fasting and prayer duties until their return, right? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/7 "2009-05-27T17:18:59Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > Ok, after reading all the jokes about pointing towards Mecca, which is a problem of trivial solution, I guess the answer is that for current astronauts, they fall under the category of travellers and are dispensed from the fasting and prayer duties until their return, right? Just wait until you throw in the problems of time dilation and parallel universes. At least the “Pigggggssss innnn Sppppaaaaace!” crew will be safe from space based cannibalism. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/8 "2009-05-27T17:22:42Z")
Apparently have been three including a [Saudi prince](http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/198601/a.prince.in.space.htm) and most recently a [Malaysian](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article1728698.ece). Both those links say they did pray (and fast for Ramadan), but doesn’t say how exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/9 "2009-05-27T17:25:39Z")
There’s going to be an incident when they meat up with the [Muppets](http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Pigs_in_Space). ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/10 "2009-05-27T17:30:09Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > Ok, after reading all the jokes about pointing towards Mecca, which is a problem of trivial solution, I guess the answer is that for current astronauts, they fall under the category of travellers and are dispensed from the fasting and prayer duties until their return, right? Read the booklet. > **[Ibadah Guidelines for Muslim Astronauts | PDF | International Space Station |...](https://www.scribd.com/document/6652891/A-Guideline-Ibadah-at-Iss)** > > The document provides guidelines for Muslims performing various acts of worship (ibadah) at the International Space Station (ISS). It defines key terms and outlines recommendations for practices like ablution, prayer, fasting, and caring for the... ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/11 "2009-05-27T18:27:59Z")
> [@Sapo](#): > > Maybe not the only one but finding it weird is far from consensus according to sci-fi at least. What in the world, or off of it, does this have to do with reality? Most sci-fi is by idiots and for idiots. [Science fiction writer speaking] ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/12 "2009-05-27T18:57:58Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > What in the world, or off of it, does this have to do with reality? Most sci-fi is by idiots and for idiots. > > [Science fiction writer speaking] Just saying that the idea is not so far out that nobody has thought of it. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/13 "2009-05-27T19:02:38Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Read the booklet. > > [Ibadah Guidelines for Muslim Astronauts | PDF | International Space Station | Spaceflight](http://www.scribd.com/doc/6652891/A-Guideline-Ibadah-at-Iss) Very interesting. So if I understood correctly, they can satisfy their requirements for prayer in a single shortened session with no need to later make up for the “lost” prayer. Is that correct? ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/14 "2009-05-27T19:04:00Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Apparently have been three including a [Saudi prince](http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/198601/a.prince.in.space.htm) and most recently a [Malaysian](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article1728698.ece). Both those links say they did pray (and fast for Ramadan), but doesn’t say how exactly. Shame on the Saudi Prince for hogging all the firsts. First Arab, first muslim and first royalty. That’s just showing off. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/15 "2009-05-27T20:59:38Z")
Its an elementary rule that if you are travelling, or on military operations, or at any job where your presence is critical, you are exempted from fasting or prayer. Submariners in the Pakistan Navy for instance don’t usually know where they are (except for the captain and a couple of officers), not to matter, they are exempt. ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/16 "2009-05-27T21:40:21Z")
> [@Dog80](#): > > Am I the only one who finds this combination of leading edge technology and religious superstition weird? :dubious: No, but there’s [been precedent](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_8_Genesis_Reading). \*\*\* Ponder ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/17 "2009-05-27T22:09:58Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > What in the world, or off of it, does this have to do with reality? Most sci-fi is by idiots and for idiots. > > [Science fiction writer speaking] You’d better tell the shade of Heinlein then, over “Stinky” Mahmoud in _Stranger in a Strange Land_ for a start. Swing by Niven and Pournelle on your way back and you can discuss Horace Bury in _The Mote In God’s Eye_ into the bargain. Them’s some fairly heavyweight idiots. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/18 "2009-05-28T01:59:13Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > You’d better tell the shade of Heinlein then, over “Stinky” Mahmoud in _Stranger in a Strange Land_ for a start. Swing by Niven and Pournelle on your way back and you can discuss Horace Bury in _The Mote In God’s Eye_ into the bargain. Them’s some fairly heavyweight idiots. I read it wrong. I thought Sapo agreed that it was found weird in “sci-fi.” He didn’t, so I apologize. Of course, I consider “sci-fi” to be movies and comic books and the like, not mainstream print authors, and I stand by my statement there. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/19 "2009-05-28T02:08:22Z")
Every time I see this thread title, I can’t help but think of this: [Jews in Space](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_jLnrUXJNM&NR=1). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806/20 "2009-05-28T02:11:10Z")
> [@Dog80](#): > > Am I the only one who finds this combination of leading edge technology and religious superstition weird? :dubious: Supposedly, algebra was invented specifically to solve the problem of calculating the direction to face to pray to Mecca. In a way it would just be coming full circle. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslims-in-space/497806.md?page=2)