Aboard Boeing 777 Saudi Arabian Airlines

This is probably the top of the prayer rooms so far, literally. It was the first time for me to experience such prayer room inside an airplane where we can perform our prayer just the way we usually do on the ground.

To assist you finding the right praying direction, there's a small LCD screen on the wall indicating the plane route and current location. Hence you can determine the praying direction (qibla). There's also railing on the wall which I guess the prayers can hold onto in case there's sudden turbulence.

The prayer room is located in the rear side of the plane. Basically they removed three middle rows of economic class passenger seats to provide 3x2 meter space. Although the sign read that the area can fit 10 people, but practically it's only good for up to 5 persons praying together (1 imaam, 4 ma'mum).



During that journey I have seen more than 6 persons using the facility in separate timing, including myself and one of the female flight attendants. I've told that most Saudi Arabian aircraft have such prayer room onboard. It seems they don't mind loosing some seat capacity to gain more blessing :)

All pictures taken on 23 November 2008.

Riyadh Airport, Saudi Arabia

Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia, which also considered as the central spot of Islam religion. It's really surprising to find that the male prayer room in the boarding area Riyadh International Airport is no more than just a small section, carpeted corridor side.

Prayer Room (corner?) in Riyadh International Airport

It's even more surprising to find that the ablution (wudu) area is located inside the men's rest room, just next to the toilets. There are only four water taps for ablution found in this place.

Ablution area, just next to toilets

I just wonder, if they can afford to spare space for this huge fountain just next to the prayer corner why couldn't they build a more decent prayer room? Note how big is the fountain by comparing it's size to the man walking at the upper background.

Riyadh Airport Huge Fountain

All pictures taken on 23-November-2008

Update: it has been 'upgraded' in 2010, see this post.