Qibla finder / Somalia
Qibla direction from Mogadishu, 345.0° north-northwest
From Mogadishu, face 345.0° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 2,235 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 345.7°.
- Distance to the Kaaba
- 2,235 km (1,389 miles)
- Magnetic compass bearing
- 345.7°
- Magnetic declination
- 0.7° west
- City centre
- 2.0469, 45.3182
How to face the qibla
Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 345.7°. That is 345.0° from true north, adjusted for the 0.7° west magnetic declination in Mogadishu. Or open the live compass on your phone.
Worked out for the centre of Mogadishu. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.
Guide
Why the qibla is north-northwest from Mogadishu
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Mogadishu that path leaves heading north-northwest, at 345.0° from true north. Flat maps distort this route, so it can look wrong on a map even though it is the true direction.
A compass points to magnetic north, which in Mogadishu is 0.7° west of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 345.7°, differs from the true bearing.
Someone far from Makkah faces the direction (jihah) of the Kaaba. A small turn to the left or right does not affect the prayer, and a prayer made after a genuine effort stays valid even if you later learn you were slightly off.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- The stronger view is to aim at the Kaaba itself by your best effort, even from far away.
- Maliki, Hanbali
- Facing the direction is enough, as in the Hanafi school.
Qibla from cities nearby
| City | Qibla | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Mombasa | 0.3° | N |
| Nairobi | 7.2° | N |
| Zanzibar | 1.3° | N |
| Dar es Salaam | 1.2° | N |
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar.
Questions
Good to know
What is the qibla direction from Mogadishu?
The qibla from Mogadishu is 345.0° from true north, which is north-northwest. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 345.7°.
How far is Mogadishu from Makkah?
About 2,235 km (1,389 miles) in a straight line over the globe.
Why is the qibla north-northwest from Mogadishu?
The qibla follows the shortest route over the curved Earth to the Kaaba, called a great circle. On a flat map this route looks curved, so the direction can look different from what a map suggests.
How exact do I need to be?
In the Hanafi school, someone far from Makkah faces the general direction of the Kaaba. A small turn to either side does not affect the prayer. Do your best, or follow the direction of your local masjid.