Mount Kinabalu Has Highest Qibla Finder Monument In Malaysia

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) today recognised the qibla finder at Kilometre (KM) 8 of Mount Kinabalu as the highest qibla finder in Malaysia at 3.930.4 metres above sea level.

Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the qibla finder was significant as it helps Muslim climbers determine the direction of Makkah accurately during prayers at high altitudes, helping them fulfill their religious obligations in extreme areas.

"For Muslim climbers, determining the direction of qibla often is challenging. This finder gives them the confidence in praying properly,” he said in a statement announcing the recognition from MBOR here today, which he described as not only a physical achievement but a symbol of strength, knowledge and purity of Muslims in Sabah  in combining religious knowledge, technology and physical endurance in a unique and meaningful project.

He said the monument was a symbol of the virtues of Islam and not just a record in a book but knowledges Islam, knowledge and innovation.

The monument reinforces Sabah’s status as a halal tourism and Muslim-friendly destination in the region, he said, adding that the project was done in several stages, starting from a survey, determination of the qibla direction by the Sabah state mufti’s office, followed by survey work by the Sabah Land and Surveys Department and the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia. 

"The synergy of all the related agencies proves that when knowledge, technology and virtue come together, it can create a big success. Mount Kinabalu now is not just a physical climbing destination but also a spiritual destination that glorifies the greatness of Allah SWT’s creations,” he said.

-- BERNAMA