With Minangkabau blood, this is the first person to fast in outer space

JAKARTA – Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor dedicated himself as the first astronaut to fast Ramadan in space. The Malaysian Muslim astronaut traveled to space for a ten-day mission on the International Space Station.

There he conducted experiments related to the characteristics and growth of liver cancer and leukemia cells. Apart from that, he also researched the effect of microgravity and space radiation on cells and microbes and also tested proteins against HIV for the development of an AIDS vaccine.

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, who is also of Minangkabau blood, glided on October 10, 2007 using a Russian-made Soyuz aircraft. This flight coincides with a very special month for Muslims, namely the holy month of Ramadan.

As a person Muslim astronaut , Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is determined to keep fasting in the midst of his obligation to make space missions a success. He did this even though the National Fatwa Council of Malaysia had issued a fatwa that outer space missions were an exception to fasting.

“I agree that I am a Muslim, I am Islamic, but my main priority is to do more experiments. As a Muslim, I hope to carry out my responsibilities, I hope to be able to fast in space,” he said as quoted by Space, Thursday (14 /3/2024).

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor also successfully fulfilled his obligations in this world and the hereafter during the space mission. Practice salat and the fasting he carried out was then recorded in a book, resulting in a booklet entitled “A Guideline of Performing Worship at the International Space Station (ISS)”.

What’s even more interesting is that the man who was born on July 27 1972 was not only the first person to run it Ramadan fasting in space, but also a figure who celebrates Eid al-Fitr there. To celebrate, he brought satay and cake to share with other mission members.

(msf)