Gunung Kinabalu miliki monumen penanda arah kiblat tertinggi Malaysia (Dwibahasa)
Versi Bahsa Melayu
KOTA KINABALU: Gunung Kinabalu kini bukan sahaja menjadi mercu tanda kebanggaan rakyat Sabah dan destinasi pendakian tersohor dunia, tetapi turut mencipta sejarah baharu apabila monumen penanda arah kiblat yang dipasang di KM8 gunung itu, diiktiraf sebagai Penanda Arah Kiblat Tertinggi di Malaysia oleh Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR).
Pengiktirafan rasmi itu diumumkan oleh Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor dalam Majlis Pengiktirafan Malaysia Book of Records bagi Monumen Penanda Arah Kiblat Tertinggi di Malaysia di The Pacific Sutera, Sutera Harbour Resort pada Isnin.
Dalam ucapannya, Hajiji menyifatkan pengiktirafan itu bukan sekadar satu pencapaian fizikal, tetapi juga simbol kekuatan semangat, keilmuan dan keimanan umat Islam di Sabah yang berjaya menggabungkan ilmu falak, teknologi dan ketahanan fizikal dalam satu projek unik dan bermakna.
“Monumen ini berdiri megah di puncak tertinggi Malaysia, menjadi lambang keutuhan akidah dan syiar Islam yang menjulang tinggi. Ia bukan hanya rekod dalam buku, tetapi pengiktirafan terhadap usaha dakwah, ilmu dan inovasi,” katanya.
Katanya, pemasangan monumen kiblat di Gunung Kinabalu amat signifikan kerana ia membantu pendaki Muslim menentukan arah kiblat dengan tepat semasa menunaikan solat di altitud tinggi, sekali gus menyelesaikan cabaran pelaksanaan ibadah di kawasan ekstrem.
“Pendakian Gunung Kinabalu kini semakin popular di kalangan rakyat tempatan dan antarabangsa. Bagi pendaki Muslim, penentuan arah kiblat sering menjadi cabaran. Usaha ini amat tepat pada masanya, memberikan kemudahan dan keyakinan kepada mereka untuk menunaikan solat dengan sempurna,” ujarnya.
Menurut Hajiji, monumen berkenaan dipasang pada ketinggian 3,930.4 meter dari aras laut di KM8 Gunung Kinabalu – menjadikannya penanda arah kiblat tertinggi di negara ini.
Beliau berkata, projek berkenaan dilaksanakan dalam beberapa fasa, bermula dengan tinjauan awal dan penentuan arah kiblat menggunakan kaedah falak oleh Pejabat Mufti
Negeri Sabah, disusuli kerja-kerja pengukuran oleh Jabatan Tanah dan Ukur Sabah serta Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia (JUPEM).
Turut terlibat dalam projek ini ialah Taman-Taman Sabah, Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM), Pejabat Ketua Menteri, polis, bomba, RTM, Pejabat Daerah Ranau, Pasukan Gerakan Udara (PGU) serta Bahagian Istiadat dan Protokol.
“Sinergi semua agensi ini membuktikan bahawa apabila ilmu, teknologi dan iman bersatu, ia mampu mencipta satu kejayaan besar. Gunung Kinabalu kini bukan sekadar destinasi pendakian fizikal, tetapi juga destinasi spiritual dan ilmiah yang mengangkat keagungan ciptaan Allah SWT,” kata Hajiji.
Menurutnya, kewujudan monumen ini turut memperkukuh kedudukan Sabah sebagai destinasi pelancongan halal dan mesra Muslim di rantau ini, di samping memperkasakan ilmu falak dalam masyarakat.
“Pelancong Muslim kini lebih yakin menunaikan solat di puncak tertinggi Malaysia. Ini menjadikan Sabah peneraju pelancongan halal, sekali gus membuktikan sains dan agama boleh bergerak seiring dalam suasana aman dan harmoni,” katanya.
Beliau yakin, pendekatan sebegini boleh dijadikan model rujukan di peringkat kebangsaan dan antarabangsa dalam usaha menggabungkan pembangunan fizikal dan rohani secara seimbang.
Hajiji menegaskan, pencapaian ini menjadi inspirasi kepada generasi muda bahawa kejayaan boleh dicapai melalui ilmu, semangat dan kerjasama.
“Monumen ini bukan sahaja menandakan arah kiblat, tetapi juga arah kemajuan negeri Sabah. Ia simbol penyepaduan antara pembangunan fizikal dan rohani,” tegasnya.
Katanya, Kerajaan Negeri akan terus menyokong inisiatif berteraskan keagamaan, ilmu dan inovasi seiring aspirasi Sabah Maju Jaya, yang membangunkan rakyat bukan hanya dari aspek ekonomi tetapi juga nilai dan akhlak.
Beliau turut merakamkan penghargaan kepada Pejabat Mufti Negeri Sabah, pasukan teknikal serta semua agensi dan rakan strategik yang menjayakan projek bersejarah itu sehingga diiktiraf oleh MBOR.
Tamat
English Version
KOTA KINABALU: Mount Kinabalu is not only a proud landmark of Sabah and a world renowned climbing destination but has now made history with the installation of a Kiblat direction monument at KM8 of the mountain, officially recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the Highest Kiblat Direction Monument in Malaysia.
The official recognition was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor during the Malaysia Book of Records Recognition Ceremony for the Highest Kiblat Direction Monument in Malaysia held at The Pacific Sutera, Sutera Harbour Resort, on Monday.
In his speech, Hajiji said the recognition is not merely a physical achievement but also a symbol of the strength, knowledge, and faith of Sabah’s Muslim community — who successfully combined astronomy, technology, and physical endurance in one unique and meaningful project.
“This monument stands proudly on Malaysia’s highest peak, symbolising the steadfastness of faith and the glory of Islam. It is not just a record in a book, but recognition of the efforts in dakwah (Islamic outreach), knowledge, and innovation,” he said.
He added that the installation of the Kiblat monument on Mount Kinabalu is highly significant as it helps Muslim climbers accurately determine the Kiblat direction when performing prayers at high altitudes, thereby addressing the challenges of worship in extreme environments.
“Climbing Mount Kinabalu has become increasingly popular among both local and international climbers. For Muslim climbers, determining the Kiblat direction has always been a challenge. This initiative is timely, providing convenience and confidence for them to perform prayers properly,” he said.
Hajiji said the monument was installed at an altitude of 3,930.4 metres above sea level at KM8 of Mount Kinabalu — making it the highest Kiblat direction marker in the country.
He said the project was implemented in several phases, beginning with an initial survey and Kiblat determination using astronomical (falak) methods by the Sabah Mufti Office, followed by measurement work conducted by the Sabah Land and Survey Department and the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM).
Other agencies involved in the project included the Sabah Parks, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the Chief Minister’s Department, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Fire and Rescue Department, RTM, Ranau District Office, the Air Operations Force (PGU), as well as the Ceremonial and Protocol Division.
“The synergy of all these agencies proves that when knowledge, technology, and faith come together, great success can be achieved. Mount Kinabalu is now not only a destination for physical climbing but also a spiritual and intellectual destination that glorifies the greatness of Allah SWT’s creation,” said Hajiji.
He added that the existence of this monument also strengthens Sabah’s position as a halal and Muslim-friendly tourism destination in the region, while promoting astronomical knowledge (falak) among the community.
“Muslim tourists can now perform prayers with confidence at Malaysia’s highest peak. This makes Sabah a leader in halal tourism and proves that science and religion can coexist in peace and harmony,” he said.
He expressed confidence that this approach can serve as a model at both national and international levels in balancing physical and spiritual development.
Hajiji stressed that this achievement should inspire the younger generation that success can be attained through knowledge, spirit, and collaboration.
“This monument not only indicates the Kiblat direction but also the direction of Sabah’s progress. It is a symbol of the integration between physical and spiritual development,” he stressed.
He added that the State Government will continue to support initiatives rooted in religion, knowledge, and innovation in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya aspirations, which aim to develop the people not only economically but also in values and character.
The Chief Minister also expressed appreciation to the Sabah Mufti Office, the technical team, and all agencies and strategic partners involved in the historic project that earned recognition from MBOR.
Ends
