Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, who was selected from 11475 people in the Malaysian space programme, is the first and to date the only Malaysian astronaut that was beamed up to space in 2007. Though he was the ninth Muslim to be in space he is perhaps the first Muslim who went to space without being apologetic of his faith.
Islam in Space
He observed fasting during Ramadhan in space and was supplied with a formal guideline a book entitled A Guideline of Performing Ibadah (worship) at the International Space Station (ISS)” which was approved by Malaysia’s National Fatwa Council.
“I want to share with the world what Islam is all about. When I went to space I do not want to focus only on science; I wanted to involve Islam and the arts. I want to show particularly to the Islamic world that no matter where you are you have to do your prayers, no one knows how it is done, I want it to be a reference for future Muslims going to space” said Sheikh Muszaphar.
Bigger Picture
When he went to space he saw how beautiful the earth looks, a stark contrast to the conflicts that exist within. It changes his perspective in life.
“You are not into small petty things anymore, I am not caught up into the emotional things I am more into the bigger issues, such as pollution, environment , hunger, women suffering and children dying. I been to Afghanistan, I been to Cambodia and recently I was in Palestine, so I am hoping to make this world a better place,” said Sheikh Muszaphar
For the past five years he only sleeps 4 hours a day, he devoted his time to good cause and work closely with NGO’s. He is the ambassador for Global peace, youth and breast cancer.
Sheikh Muzaphar is rushing all the time trying to rake as many good causes as he can to help make this world a better place. According to him there is no rule that says you must stick to one cause at a time.
“My advice to people; life is short and do the things that you want, you have to be passionate in the things that you do, that way you don’t get tired,” said Sheikh Muszapha.
Celebrity Role
Some of his fellow scientists question his willingness to play the role of celebrity because it clouds the whole point of going to space which is research for the benefit of mankind.
“The best thing about being an astronaut is you are able to make changes, you are able to make your voice heard, this is what I always wanted to do. If I have to play the role of a celebrity so be it,” Sheikh Muszapha.
An Islamic Space Agency
Sheikh Muszapha feels that whoever controls space will control the world because the technology that you learn is so much. “That’s why I am trying to reach out to the Islamic world. I have given many thoughts to the Middle East and I am hoping to unite the Islamic world and bringing back the glory of Islam in science, mathematics and astronomy like we were known before.
“I am hoping to set up an Islamic space agency, I am trying to gather all Muslim scholars under one roof, the old and the young, and put them under the Islamic Space Agency. Right now Western science is severed from religion with this Islamic Space Agency science will use the Quran to find answers that can benefit Muslims. I believe if science and religion is united once again mankind can achieve greater heights”.
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