Do Muslim astronauts keep fast in space?
Space station and Muslim Astronaut: Many countries around the world are engaged in efforts to reach space. India has already sent its spacecraft to the Moon. At the same time, many countries like America and China are sending their astronauts into space. Gulf countries are also not behind in these efforts. The largest Muslim population resides in these Gulf countries. UAE i.e. United Arab Emirates is at the forefront among the Gulf countries, which has traveled into space. Last year, UAE’s Sultan Al Neyadi went on a space trip and spent the entire month of Ramadan on the International Space Station. During this period he could neither offer namaz nor fast. Then there has been a demand in the UAE for exemption for astronauts to fast and pray, so that they can get freedom in religious activities till their return.
Maryam Al Hattali, a professor at Mohammed bin Zayed University for the Humanities in Abu Dhabi, addressed Islamic experts at the second international conference of the UAE Council for Fatwa. He advocated for concessions to offer prayers for astronauts going on long space missions. He also stressed on the provision of bathing in space and said that scientists work for humanity and experts should consider their religious rules.
Why didn’t the Sultan observe Roza in space?
Professor Maryam said that due to lack of arrangements, Emirati astronaut Al Neyadi spent 6 months on the ISS but spent the month of Ramadan in space itself. Before his visit, Al Neyadi had also expressed concern that during his visit, Ramadan and Eid would also fall, but he would not be able to celebrate the festivals. He had accepted that fasting can affect health and this can affect the mission.
Malaysian astronaut also faced difficulties
Malaysian astronaut Sheikh Muzaffar Shukor also faced a lot of challenges in Ramadan during his space mission in 2007. Later a fatwa was issued for him, in which it was made clear that he should not fast until he returned to earth. UAE is planning many more missions in the coming days. With this, many more Emirati astronauts will go on space travel, but in the meantime it is difficult to perform fasts and prayers. In such a situation, there is a demand to arrange a fatwa for scientists in these countries so that they can fulfill their fast and religious beliefs after their journey.
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