qibla

Definition

The direction in which Muslims face while praying, currently determined as the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.

Etymology

Borrowed from Arabic قِبْلَة (qibla, “which is opposite”).

Example Sentences

• "The other mosques' qiblas are also in the 150°'s range, except for the Andalusian Mosque which has a qibla of 148° (table 7, fig. 17)."
• "Muslim astronomers from the 8th century onwards concerned themselves with the determination of the qibla as a problem of mathematical geography."
• "The original portico was on the west side (i.e. at right angles to the qibla) and consisted of three bays resting on two marble columns."

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