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Muslim prayer compass

Contributed by St Fagans National History Mus

Muslims must pray in the direction of Mecca. When travelling, the compass can show the correct direction for prayer.

One of the first Muslim objects collected by St Fagans. It was chosen by members of the Swansea Muslim Youth League.The first mosque in Britain is recorded as being at 2 Glyn Rhondda St, Cardiff in 1860. Cardiff's role as an international port meant it had one of the earliest Muslim communities with strong links to the Yemen, Somalia and Bangladesh.
In the past, St Fagans: National History Museum's collections did not reflect the diversity of beliefs in Wales, and so it began actively collecting more diverse and representative objects.

Members of different faith communities across Wales were invited to share stories and donate objects that represented their religion.

After Christianity, Islam is the most common faith in Wales. This Muslim Prayer compass was chosen by Najma Ali from the Swansea Muslim Youth League as part of a collection of objects that she felt were important to her as a Welsh Muslim.

Muslims must pray in the direction of the Kebah which is in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This direction of prayer is called 'Qibla'. When travelling, the compass can show the traveller the direction of the Qibla.
It reflects how important prayer is in her life no matter where she is or what she is doing.

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Location

Cardiff

Culture
Period
Theme
Size
H:
13.5cm
W:
8.5cm
D:
1.5cm
Colour
Material

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