Prayer times – Gyeongju

Muslim Presence in Gyeongju: Gyeongju, a historic city in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, is home to a small but established Muslim community. While the city is predominantly known for its ancient Silla dynasty heritage, Muslims have settled here over the years, contributing to the city's multicultural fabric. The community includes both local converts and expatriates, primarily from South Asian and Middle Eastern countries, who have made Gyeongju their home for work or study.

Community Implantation and Prayer Places: The Muslim community in Gyeongju is served by several prayer spaces, with the most central being Masjid Gyeongju, located just 0.5 km from the city center in Seongdong-dong. This mosque serves as a focal point for daily prayers and community gatherings. Additionally, mapped prayer places are found in nearby areas such as Angang-eup (Masjid Al-Jawahir), Geoncheon-eup (Shin Gyeongju Station Islamic Prayer Room), and Oedong-eup (Baitul Nur Mosque). Further afield, the Ulsan Islamic Center in Nam-gu, Ulsan, and various masjids in Gyeongsan-si and Yangsan-si provide additional facilities for Muslims in the broader region.

Prayer Time Orientation: Muslims in Gyeongju observe the five daily prayers—Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha—according to the city's timezone (Asia/Seoul). Prayer times vary throughout the year due to changes in sunrise and sunset, influenced by Gyeongju's latitude (35.84°N). The Qibla direction for prayer is oriented towards Mecca, and the distance to the Kaaba is approximately 8,500 km. The calculation method used for prayer times ensures accuracy for the local community, helping residents and visitors maintain their daily worship rhythm.