Jinnah Antarctic Research Station, operational since 1991, emerges as likely site of inaugural salah in Antarctica amid Pakistan’s polar scientific missions.
The Jinnah Antarctic Station, Pakistan’s permanent research facility established in 1991, is recognized as the first confirmed location where Islamic prayers (salah) were performed on the Antarctic continent.
Situated in the East Antarctic region, the station has served as a scientific and logistical base for decades.

Operated by Pakistan’s National Institute of Oceanography, the station conducts year-round studies in glaciology, marine biology, and climate science.
Since its inauguration, Muslim members of winter-over teams have maintained prayer routines within designated spaces at the base, despite extreme cold, months-long darkness, and isolation.
While informal worship likely occurred earlier during transient expeditions, documented communal prayers began with the station’s continuous operation.

A small musallah (prayer area) was established inside the main living module, oriented toward Mecca using calculated qibla directions specific to the Antarctic region.
Antarctic Treaty protocols respect all forms of religious observance across research stations. The Government of Pakistan confirmed the station remains active today, with ongoing research and religious accommodation for personnel.
The station is named for Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan.
German Islamic scholar and Head of the “Cultur-Cooperation International e.V.” organization Kathleen Göbel, shared her impressions regarding her participation in the First International Forum of Islamic Civilization, reports Dunyo IA.
According to the scholar, this prestigious conference, which brought together leading scientists, experts, and public figures from 50 countries around the world, became a platform for mutual respect, open dialogue and solidarity among representatives of various states and academic schools.
German expert highly commended Uzbekistan's rich scientific and educational heritage, specifically recognizing the profound contributions made by great scholars such as Imam al-Bukhari, Imam at-Tirmidhi and Imam Maturidi to world civilization.
In particular, she was deeply impressed by the immense construction and development work carried out at the Imam al-Bukhari Complex, as well as the implementation of a contemporary museum featuring artificial intelligence technologies.
Kathleen Göbel placed special emphasis on the significance of the noble concept put forward by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev: “Enlightenment against ignorance”.
In her view, Center of Islamic Civilization constructed in Tashkent is a unique platform accessible not only at the national level but also to the entire region and the international community - serving to counter Islamophobia and hostility through the power of knowledge and enlightenment.