Only Occurs Twice a Year: How to Precisely Measure the Qibla Direction on 15-16 July
Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar has called on Muslims across Indonesia to utilise the phenomenon of the sun passing directly over the Kaaba to re-verify the accuracy of the qibla direction. This astronomical event, known as Rashdul Qiblat, will take place on 15-16 July 2026 and is part of the implementation of the 2026 National Indonesia Qibla Movement.
According to the Minister, the accuracy of the qibla direction is a crucial part of perfecting the prayer. He therefore invited the public to take advantage of this natural phenomenon, which occurs twice a year, as an easy, practical, and highly accurate method for checking the qibla.
‘My brothers and sisters, Muslims across Indonesia. 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 Indonesia Qibla Movement,’ the Minister said in a statement on Tuesday (14/7).
He explained that when the sun is at its zenith directly over the Kaaba, the shadow of any object standing perfectly upright on the earth’s surface will point directly towards the Kaaba. This condition can be used as a scientific method to verify the qibla direction with a high degree of precision.
Through the 2026 National Indonesia Qibla Movement, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is inviting various elements of society to participate, including mosque and prayer room administrators, District Religious Affairs Offices (KUA), madrasas, Islamic boarding schools, universities, government agencies, private companies, hotels, community organisations, and residents in their local neighbourhoods.
Participants can register their measurement location through the portal indonesiaberkiblat.kemenag.dev by creating an account and filling in location data. The portal also provides technical guidance so that measurements can be carried out independently or together with local Ministry of Religious Affairs officers.
In addition to ensuring the accuracy of the qibla direction, this national movement is expected to increase public understanding of astronomy as an important instrument in religious services. The Ministry of Religious Affairs also hopes that this activity will serve as a means of public education on the importance of astronomy while strengthening the accuracy of the qibla in various places of worship and public facilities.
‘Let us make the 2026 National Indonesia Qibla Movement a success. May this effort be part of our endeavour to perfect the quality of our worship to Allah SWT,’ he concluded.