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Qiblah compass

Title

Qiblah compass

Year/Period

First half of 19th century

Region

Turkey

Dimension

Object size: Dia: 5.2cm,
x H: 2.8cm

Accession No.

2002-00328

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

This compass has a painted image of the 'Ka’bah', the direction to which Muslim prayers are directed. Below the image, are names of various cities in Turkey and beyond, including Jerusalem and Tunis.It is important for Muslims to be able to determine the direction of Mecca for prayers wherever they happen to be. Special compasses were therefore developed for this purpose. Today these compasses are still used. Visitors to hotels in Islamic countries will find the qiblah indicated on the ceiling of hotel rooms.