Guide to Islam designed for outer space

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The Malaysian government has published the first guidebook to help Muslims in space fulfill their religious obligations during Ramadan.

The 18-page book is intended to help Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a Malaysian Muslim who is set to blast off in a Russian spacecraft Oct. 10, know which direction to pray in, determine prayer times and fast properly in space, Iran’s Press TV reported Sunday.

"We wanted to ensure our astronaut could fully concentrate on his mission, without having to worry about how he should perform his religious obligations in space," said Datuk Abdullah Md Zin, a minister in the prime minister’s department.

The guide, called Guidelines for Performing Islamic Rites at the International Space Station, will also help future Muslims in space, Zin said, and will be translated into English, Russian and Arabic.