Sun aligns directly above the Kaabah

The sun on Monday came directly above the holy Kaabah – Islam’s holiest site. This celestial phenomenon enables people all over the Earth who can see the sun at that moment to determine the direction of the Qibla through the simplest and easiest ways. 

According to Majid Al-Zahra, the supervising engineer of the Saudi Astronomical Society, the sun was directly above the Kaabah from midday to 12:18 pm – coinciding with the Adhan (call to prayer) for Dhuhr. The sun was positioned at 90 degrees above the horizon, causing no shadows to be cast by the Kaabah. 

Astronomers say such a phenomenon happens twice a year on May 27 and July 15. It occurs when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky directly above the Kaabah.

It is attributed to the Earth’s rotation around the sun, in addition to the geographical location of Makkah between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, which makes the sun perpendicular to the Kaaba twice every year.