The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) of the Republic of Indonesia has officially initiated a national program titled "Indonesia Berkiblat," a simultaneous Qibla direction verification movement to commemorate Rashdul Qiblah 1448 Hijri in 2026. This initiative aims to improve the accuracy of the Qibla direction for communities across the archipelago by leveraging a natural astronomical phenomenon.
The Rashdul Qiblah phenomenon occurs when the position of the Sun is directly above the Kaaba. Under these conditions, the shadow of any vertical object on Earth's surface will point precisely toward the Qibla. This method is considered highly effective because it allows the general public to calibrate the Qibla direction independently and accurately, provided weather conditions are favorable and the sky is clear.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has established a structured implementation schedule to facilitate public monitoring at their respective locations. Members of the public interested in participating in this movement can register online through the official Indonesia Berkiblat portal provided by the government.
Through this program, the government hopes to provide education as well as a practical solution for Muslims in Indonesia to ensure the accuracy of the Qibla direction in places of worship and residential areas. This step is also part of efforts to utilize astronomical science in supporting more precise worship practices in accordance with Islamic jurisprudence (sharia).
