Kiblat.....

I could not help feeling amazed and bemused when I read the article where it was said that about 200 mosques in the Holy City of Mekkah face the wrong direction. These mosques were reported to be 'old mosques' and were built 50 or so years ago. It was quite astonishing to read how they discovered this. These mosques were spotted to be facing the wrong directions fromt he top of the skyscrapers which are now sprouting in the city.

In Brunei itself, the Surau at the Mall had its kiblat direction changed at least twice. At one point, the direction was rotated 270deg from the original kiblat direction. It would be quite interesting to hear how someone discovered the mistake.

During the last weekend's trip to Singapore, my travelling companions and I went to the Al-Falah Mosque near Orchard Road and I noticed that the kiblat direction has been slanted slightly to the right.

Now with the availability of modern technology, it is getting so much easier to precisely determine the kiblat direction. Brunei's Survey Department also offers a service to determine the kiblat direction in residential premises. There are also watch with kiblat compass available in the market.

However, it is said that as long as the general direction towards the Kaabah in the Holy City of Mekkah is correct, it is ok to have a slight slant towards the left or the right. It is more important to have the actual 'niat' and to have sincerity and humility in carrying out your religious duties. Waallahua'lam.........