Qibla

The direction that Muslims must face when performing their prayers. Initially, the qibla for Muslims was toward al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, but in the Hijri (lunar) year 624, it was redirected to the Kaaba, a sacred structure located in the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This change was prompted by the revelation of the qibla verse in the Quran (2:144), which commanded Muslims to redirect their prayers. 

The qibla symbolizes the unity of Muslims worldwide, as all direct their worship toward the same focal point. Historically, Muslims determined the qibla using methods such as astronomical observations and compass readings. Today, digital tools and smartphone apps can accurately point Muslims toward the Kaaba from any location in the world. 

In mosques worldwide, the qibla is marked by a niche in the wall called the mihrab, indicating the direction of Mecca.