What are the practical religious concerns during the Arctic race?

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Religious Guidelines for the Arctic Expedition Address Practical Concerns

The upcoming Arctic expedition for Mohd Khairizal Mohd Khalif, the first Malaysian to participate in the Fjällräven Polar 2018, includes specific religious guidelines provided by the Federal Territories Mufti's office. These guidelines aim to address practical challenges related to Islamic practices in the extreme Arctic environment, particularly concerning interactions with dogs and the determination of prayer times. Rizal is prepared to adhere to these instructions, focusing on avoiding direct contact with dogs' saliva, which is considered impure in Islamic tradition.
Handling of Dogs and Religious Purity

The religious advisory extends to the proper method of interacting with dogs, a key element of the Arctic dog sled race. Islamic teachings traditionally consider dogs, particularly their saliva, to be ritually impure. Rizal has been advised on how to manage these interactions, ensuring he avoids touching the animals with bare hands. This adherence to guidelines is intended to mitigate concerns about religious impurity, with Rizal expressing confidence that following these instructions will be sufficient for his journey.
Determining Prayer Times in Polar Regions

A significant practical religious concern addressed by the Mufti's office pertains to the determination of prayer times in regions where the sun's visibility is unusual. In areas experiencing prolonged periods of daylight or twilight, such as the Arctic during certain seasons, traditional methods of calculating sunrise and sunset for prayer times become challenging. The provided guidelines offer alternative approaches to accurately ascertain the correct timings for the five daily prayers, ensuring religious obligations can be met.
Ablution Methods in Extreme Conditions

The guidelines also cover methods for performing ablutions (wudu') in extreme cold conditions. In temperatures that can plummet to -25 to -35 degrees Celsius, water used for washing can freeze, and its availability might be limited. The advice from the Mufti's office includes practical techniques for performing ablutions effectively and hygienically even when faced with such challenging environmental factors, ensuring that ritual purity can be maintained throughout the expedition.

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What are the practical religious concerns during the Arctic race?

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