Journal of Architecture and Planning (Transactions of AIJ)
Online ISSN : 1881-8161
Print ISSN : 1340-4210
ISSN-L : 1340-4210
AZIMUTHS OF QIBLA OF MOSQUES IN THE OLD CITY OF HERAT, AFGHANISTAN
Tetsuya ANDOSayed Shoaib SAMIMISayed Abdul Baset SAMIMI
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2025 Volume 90 Issue 834 Pages 1837-1845

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Abstract

This study clarifies the relationship between the orientation of the urban structure and the qibla of mosques in the Old City of Herat. The survey includes the city wall, the crossroads, and 139 buildings, 104 of which are mosques. Analysis found that most mosques, including the Great Mosque, face west instead of southwest towards Mecca. Similarly, other historical buildings are oriented to the true azimuth, reflecting the urban structure defined by the city wall and crossroads. Mosques from the early Islamic period outside the Old City generally align with Mecca, making the westward orientation of the Old City mosques notable.

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© 2025, Architectural Institute of Japan
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