January 9, 2009
Muslim astronaut balances faith, science
Malaysian astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor will be orbiting the Earth about 16 times every 24 hours after he reaches the International Space Station on Friday. That would be 80 daily prayers as opposed to the standard five for this Muslim orthopedic surgeon.
He also would have to kneel in zero gravity and pinpoint the direction of Mecca when he's not busy performing experiments involving diseases and the effects of microgravity and space radiation on cells and genes.
Muszaphar was blasted into space Wednesday aboard a Russian spacecraft from Kazakhstan along with Yuri Malenchenko, a veteran cosmonaut, and American Peggy Whitson, who is to be the first woman to command the orbital outpost. Muszaphar, 35, is expected to spend about 10 days on the station.
The mission coincides with the final days of the Ramadan holiday, which requires fasting from dusk to dawn. And although Islamic clerics have given Muszaphar the OK to postpone his fasting until he returns to Earth, he plans to stick it out.
"It's a small step for me, but a great leap for the Malaysian people," he said.
Although Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman became the first Muslim in space in 1985, Muszaphar will be the first to throw an end-of-Ramadan Eid party in orbit. He brought along vacuum-packed Malaysian food that included skewered chicken, banana rolls and fermented soybean cakes in preparation for the feast.
"I am not sure how it would be done but I will share my experiences [with] all the Muslims all over the world when I get back," he wrote in his online journal. "Islam is a way of life, and I am quite sure I would not face much difficulties. (sic)"
(With AP)
Mixx it!
Copyright © 2009, AM New York
Popular stories
- Masa, Adour, Momofuku Ko big Michelin Guide winners
- Family gives Tankleff a welcome party
- Belmont: The Bronx's true Little Italy
- MTA: Big delay for Second Avenue subway
- City Living: Hell's Kitchen