Qibla direction recalibrated during Rashdul Qibla phenomenon
Officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs observed the Sun’s shadow during the rashdul kiblat phenomenon in the courtyard of the Ministry of Religious Affairs office in Tulungagung, East Java, on Wednesday (15 July 2026). The annual astronomical event, when the Sun is positioned directly above the Kaaba, is used to confirm and accurately correct the qibla direction so that it faces the Kaaba in Mecca, serving as a guide for Muslims in performing their prayers.
The management of the Al Wasilah mosque committee measured the qibla direction using traditional tools in an open area on the upper floor of a building in Kampung Cintarasa, Tasikmalaya city, West Java, on Wednesday (15 July 2026). The Ministry of Religious Affairs has invited Muslims to take advantage of the rashdul kiblat phenomenon, when the Sun is directly above the Kaaba, to accurately determine the qibla direction of their homes and places of worship without the need for special equipment. The phenomenon occurs only twice a year.
Khairul Azhar, head of the Ministry of Religious Affairs office in West Aceh regency, measured the qibla direction as part of the 2026 National Movement for a Correct Qibla in the courtyard of Nurul Huda mosque, Kampung Belakang village, Johan Pahlawan, West Aceh, Aceh, on Wednesday (15 July 2026). The Ministry has called on the public to make use of the istiwa a’zam, or rashdul kiblat, phenomenon on 15–16 July 2026 at 16:27 Western Indonesia Time (WIB) to verify, calibrate, and straighten the qibla direction as the reference for performing prayers.
A staff member of the Ministry of Religious Affairs office in West Aceh directed a compass while measuring the qibla direction during the 2026 National Movement for a Correct Qibla at Nurul Huda mosque, Kampung Belakang village, Johan Pahlawan, West Aceh, Aceh, on Wednesday (15 July 2026). The Ministry has invited the public to utilise the istiwa a’zam, or rashdul kiblat, phenomenon on 15–16 July 2026 at 16:27 WIB to verify, calibrate, and straighten the qibla direction as the benchmark for carrying out prayers.