Sun Directly Over Kaaba on 15-16 July: Religious Affairs Minister Calls It a Moment to Verify Qibla Direction

Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar has invited Muslims to utilise the phenomenon of the sun being directly above the Kaaba to re-verify the accuracy of the qibla direction. This astronomical moment, known in Islamic astronomy as Rashdul Qiblat, is considered an easy, practical, and precise method for verifying the qibla. “My brothers and sisters, Muslims across Indonesia. Facing the qibla is an important part of perfecting our prayer. Therefore, the Ministry of Religious Affairs invites the entire community to participate in the 2026 Indonesia Berkiblat National Movement,” Nasaruddin said in a statement on Monday (13/7/2026). Nasaruddin explained that the phenomenon of the sun directly above the Kaaba is an astronomical event that occurs twice a year. At that time, sunlight is at the zenith point of the Kaaba, so the shadow of an object standing perpendicular on the earth’s surface can be used as a reference to determine the qibla direction with a high degree of accuracy. This scientific method is used to verify the qibla direction. This year, the phenomenon can be observed on Wednesday and Thursday, 15-16 July 2026, precisely at 16:27 WIB, 17:27 WITA, and 18:27 WIT. The public simply needs to prepare a stick or an object placed perpendicularly in an open area, then observe the direction of the shadow formed. The line drawn from the tip of the shadow to the base of the stick indicates the direction of the Kaaba and can be used as a reference to check the accuracy of the qibla. “On Wednesday and Thursday, 15 and 16 July 2026, precisely at 16:27 WIB or 17:27 WITA, we will utilise the moment when the sun’s position is directly above the Kaaba so it can be used to verify the qibla direction easily, practically, and precisely,” said Nasaruddin. This qibla verification can be widely utilised through the 2026 Indonesia Berkiblat National Movement. Through this movement, Nasaruddin invites the entire community, mosque and musala caretakers, Religious Affairs Offices (KUA), madrasas, Islamic boarding schools, universities, government agencies, private offices, hotels, community organisations, and households to jointly carry out qibla verification. Participation in this national movement is done by registering the measurement location through the portal https://indonesiaberkiblat.kemenag.dev. After creating an account and filling in location data, participants can take part in simultaneous measurements according to the time of the sun over the Kaaba phenomenon in their respective regions. The portal also provides technical implementation guidelines so that the public can carry out measurements independently or together with Ministry of Religious Affairs officers in the regions. The 2026 Indonesia Berkiblat National Movement not only aims to ensure the accuracy of the qibla direction but also to increase public literacy regarding Islamic astronomy as an important instrument in religious services. This movement is also expected to become a moment of public education about the importance of Islamic astronomy while strengthening the accuracy of the qibla direction in various places of worship and public facilities. “Let us make the 2026 Indonesia Berkiblat National Movement a success. May this effort be part of our endeavour to perfect the quality of our worship to Allah SWT,” said Nasaruddin.