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"I'm not sure how but I'm sure I'll find a way to pray and fast," Muszaphar said. Reuters |
KUALA LUMPUR — With the heavyweight Muslim country's first cosmonaut just about to blast off into the space, Malaysia is being gripped by a space fever.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced he and 280 students would attend a live broadcast of the launch operation, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported on Tuesday, October 9.
He would also hold a teleconference with Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor once he landed on the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for October 14.
Muszaphar will take off for the $100-billion International Space Station (ISS) from Russia's Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, October 10.
He will return with the outgoing ISS crew after 11 days in space.
Malaysia is planning a comprehensive coverage of the experience.
There will be a round-the-clock teleconference dedicated for connecting Muszaphar to his country.
The Ministry of Education announced dispatching six students to Russia to conduct live chat with Muszaphar during his mission on the ISS.
Students from several selected schools will be motivated to increase their interests in science and technology through a radio link-up with him.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall said residents will get to see the launch on a giant screen.
The live telecast of the launch will also be aired over Astro's channel 588, RTM and TV3.
Newspapers have been in the recent weeks flooded with news and comments about Muszaphar and his space voyage.
Muszaphar, orthopaedic surgeon and university lecturer, was chosen from 11,000 candidates and underwent more than a year of training at Moscow's Star City.
Closer to God
Muszaphar hopes the rare experience would bring him closer to God.
"To be close to God's creation -- I will feel more spiritual and I do hope to come back and share all my feelings with other Muslims all over the world," he told a news conference conducted from behind a glass screen to prevent pre-launch infection.
Muszaphar said he is keen on carrying out his religious duties in space.
"I'm not sure how but I'm sure I'll find a way to pray and fast."
He would arrive at the ISS in the closing hours of Ramadan and would spend 'Eid Al-Fitr in space.
Muszaphar is taking with him Malaysian food and special 'Eid biscuits for fellow crew members.
Malaysian scholars have published guidelines on how to practice Islam in space.
The guidebook touched a upon a variety of issues including qiblah (direction Muslims take during prayers), praying and fasting in the zero-gravity environment.
The 35-year-old doctor, who while would conduct scientific experiments on bacteria, cells and protein in space, is aware of the great responsibility he bears.
"Being a Muslim going to space is a big responsibility for me, not only before the Malaysian people but all Muslims all over the world."
Muszaphar will be the ninth Muslim to cross the 100-km boundary above Earth, considered to be the defining line for outer space.
Muslim heavyweight Malaysia has launched last October Southeast Asia's first space center.
The country is also planning to send its first astronaut to the Moon by 2020.
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