Malaysian scientists and religious scholars are trying to determine how Muslims should behave in space, as the predominantly Islamic country prepares to dispatch its first astronaut next year.Mark
More than 150 delegates attended a seminar to consider how to pray in space given the difficulties of locating Mecca and holding the prayer position in zero gravity; as well as other questions such as halal food and washing.
"It's as important as sending the astronaut," said Mustafa Din bin Subari, deputy director of Angkasa, Malaysia's space agency. "We want to stress that being a Muslim does not restrict you from doing anything."
The application of a religion founded in the 7th century Arabian desert to space travel in the 21st century is complex. The International Space Station (ISS) moves at almost 17,000 mph, so the relative position of Mecca is constantly shifting. With 16 orbits a day, and the timing of five daily prayers determined in relation to sunrise and sunset, devout Muslim astronauts could find themselves intoning their chants 80 times in 24 hours. Read it all: Computer will tell Muslim astronaut how to pray in space
Thursday, April 27, 2006
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6 comments:
Ah yes, great to see an Islamic seminar was held regarding the importance of muslims praying in space. Gosh, those muslim rocket scientists, engineers and physicists, they're amazing! Is there not limit to the ingenuity and talent?
Now a cynic may say that the seminar attendees should be more concerned with the violence, poverty and backwardness of Islamic countries, but not me. I think its fantastic and can't wait for the next seminar regarding muslim women in space and how the chador will be affected by zero gravity. Fascinating. Stay tuned folks.
Leelion:
:-)
I read this post about two hours ago and have not been able to stop laughing since. How utterly ridiculous is this???? I don't understand how people with a 7th century mindset and with a plethora of barbaric ideas and practices could want to go into space anyway????? Someone please enlighten me.
US Iconoclastic Patriot:
Perhaps they're trying to locate Allah and his throne (kursi), and 'the mother of the book' (lawH maHfuz) [where a capital 'H' is an aspirant 'h'].
Mussolini:
.... anxiously awaiting the first televised child beheading in space...
You're just being naughty! :-)
My God! (Or should I say Wallahi!) The mere thought of being stranded in space with a ham sandwich! And God help the person that packed those non-halal lunches. Upon returning to earth, they'd get his/her guts for garters (though they wouldn't have mcuh use for the garters, as they don't generally wear socks)!
As you say, it would certainly be an Israeli conspiracy.
Oh, and that prayer rug. How difficult it would be to nail it down!
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