First Place In Antarctica Where Salah Was Performed: Jinnah Antarctic Station
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.
Erhan Afyoncu: Uzbekistan is the land of the most magnificent cities of the Turkic civilization
Prominent Turkish historian, Rector of the National Defense University, Professor Erhan Afyoncu, speaking on the analytical program “Circle of Thought” (Akıl Çemberi) on the leading Turkish television channel “CNN-Türk”, shared his assessments regarding the rich historical heritage and tourism potential of Uzbekistan, reports Dunyo IA.
In his speech, Professor Afyoncu characterized Uzbekistan as a unique geography home to the most magnificent cities of the Turkic civilization. “Uzbekistan represents a distinct geography. It is the land where the most beautiful cities of our civilization are located. Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent are situated precisely on this soil”, he noted.
Addressing the youth, the Turkish historian emphasized that in an era characterized by vast opportunities for international travel, it is vital to first discover the countries of the Turkic world and connect with the land of their ancestors. “My advice to the youth: since convenient opportunities for traveling abroad exist today, begin by traveling across the Turkic world. Go, see and connect with the ancestral soil. Only then should you visit the lands where the Seljuk state was established, the professor said, adding that such journeys are deeply beneficial for young people, enriching their historical memory and worldview. The level of beauty found in Samarkand cannot be encountered in many places around the world. It is exceptionally important for Turkish youth to see their own geography and their historical cities”, Erhan Afyoncu noted.
Professor also specifically highlighted Uzbekistan as one of the primary cradles of the Turkic civilization and a center of science, emphasizing that the country is highly attractive not only from historical and cultural perspectives but also from a geographical standpoint. Answering the question of the program host, Fulya Ozturk: “So for you, among the countries of the Turkic world, Uzbekistan comes first, correct?”, Professor Erhan Afyoncu stressed: “Naturally, Uzbekistan holds a special place...”.
This presentation by the professor will further contribute to the growing interest of the Turkish public in the historical cities, rich cultural heritage and tourism potential of Uzbekistan.
