MUSLIM CALL TO ADOPT MECCA TIME
Muslim scientists and clerics have called for the adoption of Mecca time to replace GMT, arguing that the Saudi city is the true centre of the Earth.
Mecca is the direction all Muslims face when they perform their daily prayers.
The call was issued at a conference held in the Gulf state of Qatar under the title: Mecca, the Centre of the Earth, Theory and Practice.
One geologist argued that unlike other longitudes, Mecca's was in perfect alignment to magnetic north.
He said the English had imposed GMT on the rest of the world by force when Britain was a big colonial power, and it was about time that changed.
A prominent cleric, Sheikh Youssef al-Qaradawy, said modern science had at last provided evidence that Mecca was the true centre of the Earth; proof, he said, of the greatness of the Muslim "qibla" - the Arabic word for the direction Muslims turn to when they pray.
One cleric said science had
proved Mecca to be the centre
of the Earth
(Telegraph)
technomist
The whole world would have to shift by 39 degrees 45 minutes, leaving London 39 degrees 45 minutes West, and the international dateline running big chiunks of Alaska, with Honalulu on the wrong side. I wouldn't mind the lie-in, but don't think the Americans are going to like it very much.
I think if we need to give recognition to 'Islamic science', it would be a good idea if 'Islamic scientists' came up with something intelligent to recognize, more recent than algebra.
As for the idea that GMT was imposed by the use of 'force', GMT was adopted at a peaceful conference in 1884. Before that, there were any number of alternative meridians in use, to the great confusion of the map-makers, scientists and the sailors of the whole world.