On the day of Eid al-Adha this year, the sun will be positioned directly above the Holy Kaaba at precisely 12:18 PM. This phenomenon, known as the “Zero Shadow” event, results in the disappearance of visible shadows for all objects within Mecca. While this celestial alignment occurs twice annually, the cyclical nature of the Islamic and Gregorian calendars means that its coincidence with the day of Eid happens only once every 33 years.
This moment presents a remarkable opportunity for individuals across the globe to accurately determine the direction of the Qibla without the need for any specialized instruments. By observing the shadow of a vertical object placed on the ground, the exact direction of the Kaaba can be identified by looking in the opposite direction of the cast shadow.
