[The Sun] WORSHIPPERS in the world's most populous Muslim country have been facing Africa — not Mecca when praying, it emerged today.


Indonesia's highest Islamic body has admitted making a mistake when issuing advice on which direction followers should pray in.

It has now asked Muslims to turn slightly to the north so they are facing Mecca when they pray.

The holy city in Saudi Arabia is the centre of the Muslim world.

But the Indonesian Ulema Council wrongly announced in March this year that Mecca was due west of Indonesia.

The east coast of Africa is actually due west of the Asian country — whereas Mecca is several degrees to the north.

One of the council's prominent clerics Ma'ruf Amin said today: "After a thorough study with some cosmography and astronomy experts, we learned they've been facing southern Somalia and Kenya.

"We've revised it now to the northwest."

He said Indonesians need not worry, however, adding: "The miscalculation did not affect God's ability to hear their prayers.

"God understands that humans make mistakes. Allah always hears their prayers."...