Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Legal Commentary Blogs -> The Volokh Conspiracy

OR PHONE (866) 635-1838 for Bankruptcy Help, (866) 635-6190 for Divorce,
(866) 635-2689 for Personal Injury or (866) 635-9402 for Criminal Defense

Find a Local Lawyer

Bankruptcy (866) 635-1838
Divorce (866) 635-6190
Personal Injury (866) 635-2689
Criminal Defense (866) 635-9402

Legal Commentary

: The Volokh Conspiracy

Religion and Geography

By Eugene Volokh

ADVERTISEMENTS

(Eugene Volokh)

The New Zealand Herald reports,

Instead of facing Islam?s most holy city, a clerical error of astronomical proportions has seen the faithful [among the 200 million Muslims in Indonesia] directing their prayers towards Kenya and southern Somalia.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country?s highest Islamic body, has admitted that they made an error in an edict issued in March regarding the direction of the sacred Kaaba site in Mecca. Originally they had said that the Saudi Arabian city ? where Muslims turn towards during their daily prayers ? was due west of Indonesia, but they have now corrected themselves and are instead instructing followers to face a bit further to the north....

Despite the mistake, [Ma?ruf Amin, a senior MUI cleric,] reassured Muslims that any prayers made looking towards Africa will not have been wasted. ?God understands that humans make mistakes,? he said.

Thanks to Prof. Howard Friedman (Religion Clause) for the pointer.

Full post as published by The Volokh Conspiracy on July 20, 2010 (boomark / email).

Lawsuits and Settlements

Walt Disney
alleging a Sikh American applied for a job with Disney but was told he did not have the "Disney look" - apparently referring to his beard and turban, which is required by his religion.

Related Searches