Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Mecca Time Plugged for World Standard

Muslim scholars say British-imposed GMT due for a change

Share

(Newser) – A group of Muslim scholars wants Mecca time to replace Greenwich Mean Time as the world's default setting, the BBC reports. As Islam’s holiest city lies in perfect longitudinal alignment to magnetic north, scientists told a Qatar conference that Mecca was the “true” center of the earth. GMT, they argue, is a relic of British imperialism, and should be abolished.

Muslim pilgrims perform the ritual
Muslim pilgrims perform the ritual "stoning of the devil" in Mina, in Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007.   (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)
A minaret of Grand mosque is seen in foreground as Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba, unseen, in Mecca, late Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007.
A minaret of Grand mosque is seen in foreground as Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba, unseen, in Mecca, late Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007.   (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)
Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba inside the Grand mosque in Mecca, late Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007.
Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba inside the Grand mosque in Mecca, late Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007.   (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)
Arguing that Mecca is the true center of the Earth, Muslim scholars are calling for the time in Islam's holiest city to replace Greenwich Mean Time.
Arguing that Mecca is the true center of the Earth, Muslim scholars are calling for the time in Islam's holiest city to replace Greenwich Mean Time.   (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

16 Stories

 Under the Veil, 
 Plastic Surgery 
 Soars in Saudi Arabia 

Clerics, surgeons say Islam approves certain procedures

Aug 3, 09 12:47 PM CDT
(AP) - Does Islam frown on nose jobs or breast implants? Three years ago, clerics and surgeons said certain procedures were sanctioned. The results may not see much light of day in a kingdom where women cover up from head to toe, yet cosmetic surgery is booming. Plastic surgery centers were rare... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Islam • plastic surgery • Saudi Arabia • cosmetic surgery

Saudi Crackdown Sends Female Gym Rats to Sidelines

Religious leaders say sports are unfeminine

May 14, 09 3:51 PM CDT
(Newser) - Though obesity and diabetes are on the rise in Saudi Arabia, officials there are cracking down on women-only sports clubs because they lack licenses—which no government body will actually issue. Leaders say their opposition is based on Islam, but, Caryle Murphy writes for GlobalPost, it stems as much from... More »

MORE ABOUT:
obesity • sports • Islam • Saudi Arabia • diabetes • women's rights • athletics • fitness • Jay-ZTV

Gulf Oil Powers Pump Green Into Clean Technology

States invest billions to keep atop energy-economy heap

Jan 13, 09 8:44 AM CST
(Newser) - Though the per-capita carbon footprint of the United Arab Emirates dwarfs that of most anywhere else, it and fellow Persian Gulf oil giants like Qatar and Saudi Arabia are becoming the unlikely cradle of green technology, the New York Times reports. Wary of the world’s dependence on crude and... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Saudi Arabia • Persian Gulf • Qatar • Abu Dhabi • United Arab Emirates • energy dependence • carbon emissions • energy independence • oil consumption

16 Stories


Qatar conference reignites old time-zone controversy
Gulf Times


World  •  Science & Health 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
Islam • Saudi Arabia • England • Qatar • Mecca • scientists • Greenwich Mean Time • time

from our news partners