Ministry of Religious Affairs Urges Qibla Verification on 15-16 July 2026

The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) has again reminded the public to utilise the Rashdul Qiblat phenomenon occurring on 15 and 16 July 2026. This phenomenon occurs when the sun is positioned directly above the Kaaba, allowing for an easy and accurate verification of the Qibla direction. Ismail Fahmi, Head of the Hisab Rukyat and Sharia subdivision at the ministry, explained that verifying the Qibla direction through this phenomenon does not require complicated equipment. The public can simply use the sun’s position to achieve practical results. “We want the public to understand that determining the Qibla direction does not have to be complicated. Through the Rashdul Qiblat phenomenon, anyone can perform verification easily, practically, and accurately by utilising the sun’s position,” Ismail Fahmi stated in Jakarta on Wednesday. He detailed that on 15 and 16 July, the sun’s rays will be directly at the zenith of the Kaaba at 16:27 Western Indonesia Time or 17:27 Central Indonesia Time. At that moment, the shadow of any object standing perpendicular to the earth’s surface will point directly towards the Kaaba. Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar previously invited Muslims to participate in the 2026 National Movement for Indonesia to Face the Qibla. The minister stressed that facing the Qibla is a crucial part of perfecting prayer. “Facing the Qibla is an important part of perfecting our prayers. Therefore, the Ministry of Religious Affairs invites the entire community to participate in the 2026 National Movement for Indonesia to Face the Qibla,” the minister said. According to the minister, ensuring the correct Qibla direction is a form of effort by the faithful to perfect their daily worship.