Mizwalah TaHa
The Malaysian Islamic Astronomy Society had been given the responsibility to build a sundial at the new Lembaga Tabung Haji Hotel and Conference Centre Complex, in Sepang. The Lembaga Tabung Haji is the Hajj pilgrim board of Malaysia, mainly responsible for managing Muslim pilgrim savings and organising the pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah.
The agreed design of the sundial is an armillary type depicting the logo of Lembaga Tabung Haji, which consists of the Arabic alphabets ‘Ta’ and ‘Ha’. The dial body is shaped like ‘Ta’ and gnomon or the shadow casting device, in the form of the letter ‘Ha’. The time and date are read where the gnomon or ‘Ha’ shadow falls on the semi-circular body or ‘Ta’.
This Mizwalah TaHa, is a functional sculpture, with the following characteristics:
• As a unique landmark for the Tabung Haji Complex
• Displaying an Islamic artefact, with aesthetics and artistic values coupled with a wide range of scientific measurements and timing.
• This sundial is very eco-friendly; it is powered by the Sun, does not emit any pollution or waste material and almost does not require any maintenance.
• Sundials can work all the time when the Sun shines.
There is innovation in the use of up-to-date information technology to extend the use of the sundial as a learning tool for astronomy. The TaHa Mizwalah signage has a QR Code (Quick Response Code) that can be scanned with a smartphone to link with the website www.th.mizwalah.org. The site contains information on sundial history, functions, Earth and Sun movements and reference to Qur’anic verses on astronomy. Various animations of the Sun and Earth movements are also provided to facilitate a basic understanding of astronomy for users. The method of obtaining this additional information is an innovation that does not exist anywhere in the modern day or past sundials. This innovation will allow this sundial to be used as tool for learning astronomy.
A very innovative synthesis of ancient and modern technologies. The very ancient technology of sundials has been enhanced with a modern technology website that provides further background information on sundials and astronomy. Together, the sundial and the website can be conveniently used as pedagogical tools for teaching of Earth and Solar motions.
Accolades Received
This sundial was featured in the following journals
- The Compendium – Journal of The North American Sundial Society
- The Bulletin – Journal of the British Sundial Society
- DGC-Mitteilungen- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chronometrie, (German Society for Chronometry)
Thank you very much for the PDF report on the BEAUTIFUL TaHa sundial that you designed and built in Sepang. I have just sent some photos of this amazing monument to our Italian gnomonic list. If you agree, I can translate your writing and publish it as an article in our Italian magazine “Orologi Solari” .
Ing. Gianni Ferrari. Engineer , Sundial Expert and author of ‘Le Meridiane Dell’Antico Islam’ (Sundials of Ancient Islam)
I, and my wife, have looked in detail at your dial, and I am impressed. While I have some of my dials with the first afternoon prayer time …, I liked how you handled prayer time on your dial. And I also liked the different colors for the seasons on the analemma. This is a very impressive dial, and thank you for sharing it with me. I am astounded!
Simon Wheaton-Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Sundial Expert and author of several books on sundials and website, www.illustratingshadows.com
Brilliant! Great sundial for a wonderful place. This kind of sundial is perfect for a place near the equator. And I like the use of the two letters from the logo to give a meaning to the sundial shape.
François Blateyron. France. Designer of Shadows software
I firstly want to congratulate you for this impressive achievement. It is in my mind a tremendous sign of cultural effort and success in your country …It certainly is worth to make the sundial known beyond the borders of Malaysia, also in my own country, Germany
Siegfried Netzband. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chronometrie, AG Sonnenuhren”
(DGC, German Chronometric Society, WG Sundials)
The sundial is impressive and newsworthy, and the choice of design features makes it of interest to members of our society.
Steve Lelievre, Secretary, North American Sundial Society. Vancouver, Canada
Your sundial is an excellent piece of work.
Josep Casulleras. Secretary of Commission for the History of Ancient and Medieval Astronomy (IUHPS). University of Barcelona, Spain
Reports
