Praying in Space

How would a Muslim astronaut pray in space?

It's an interesting question and one which may soon be facing the fledgling Malaysian Space Agency, Angkasa. In an agreement with the Russian Space Agency, two Malaysian astronauts will be trained and sent into space by the Russians. They will also visit the International Space Station.

Angkasa conducted a nation-wide search of the mostly Muslim population to find potential astronauts. Of the final four astronaut candidates, three are Muslim, leading to the question of how they will conduct their five daily prayers, which require the individual to turn towards Mecca. Working out which direction to face is just one of the problems.

According to the Independent Online (Cape Town, South Africa), Angkasa will be holding a conference to consider such questions. "The two-day Islam and Life in Space seminar will begin next Tuesday and brings together 150 scientists, astronauts, religious scholars and academics."

To learn more about Muslims and Islam, visit the About Islam site.

• Biography: Yuri Gagarin.
• Definition: Cosmonaut.
• Quotations: Galileo Quotations.

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