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Tools · Desk III: Islamic Tools · No. 08

Qibla direction finder.


The exact compass bearing from your location toward the Kaaba in Mecca, GPS-based and aligned with the Holy Mosque.

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Quick answer

The Qibla is the direction Muslims face during prayer, the Kaaba inside Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah (21.4225° N, 39.8262° E). From the UAE, the Qibla bearing falls between 256° (Abu Dhabi) and 266° (East-coast Fujairah), all West-South-West. ADAD computes the value using the great-circle (initial-bearing) formula relative to true north, the same method used by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf UAE) and the Google Qibla Finder.

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Qibla Direction Finder

Find accurate Qibla direction from anywhere in the UAE

🧭Open external Qibla finder

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How Qibla direction is calculated

How Qibla direction is calculated

The Qibla direction is the bearing from your location to the Kaaba in Makkah. It is computed using great‑circle (geodesic) mathematics on the Earth’s ellipsoid, yielding the shortest path bearing used by most prayer apps and mosques.

  • Calibrate the compass (figure‑8 motion) until the sensor stabilizes.
  • Stand away from vehicles, speakers, or reinforced walls that disturb the compass.
  • Prefer open areas or windows; avoid placing the phone on metal tables.
  • Hold the device flat; lock orientation; face the indicated bearing.
  • Cross‑check with mosque Qibla lines or a physical compass when possible.

Approximate Qibla bearings across the UAE

All values are computed by great-circle (initial) bearing from each city centre to the Kaaba in Makkah (latitude 21.4225°N, longitude 39.8262°E). Bearings are given relative to true north, your phone compass shows magnetic north, which in the UAE sits ~1.5°–2.5° east of true north and should be subtracted from the values below.

CityEmirateBearing (° true north)Compass direction
DubaiDubai~259°West-South-West
Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi~256°West-South-West
Al AinAbu Dhabi~257°West-South-West
SharjahSharjah~260°West-South-West
Khor FakkanSharjah (East coast)~265°West-South-West
AjmanAjman~260°West-South-West
Umm Al QuwainUmm Al Quwain~261°West-South-West
Ras Al KhaimahRas Al Khaimah~262°West-South-West
FujairahFujairah~265°West-South-West
Dibba Al-FujairahFujairah (North)~266°West-South-West
Madinat Zayed (Liwa)Abu Dhabi (Al Dhafra)~252°West-South-West

Bearings rounded to the nearest degree. Within a single city, neighbourhood-level variation is <0.5°. Use the live compass above for your exact location and remember to calibrate the magnetometer (figure-8 motion) before relying on it.

Qibla direction by emirate

Qibla direction in Dubai

From Dubai (Bur Dubai, Downtown, Jumeirah, Deira, Marina, JLT, Business Bay) the Qibla bearing to the Kaaba is approximately 259° from true north, roughly West-South-West. The exact value varies by <0.5° across the emirate.

Qibla direction in Abu Dhabi

From Abu Dhabi city (Corniche, Khalifa City, Yas Island, Saadiyat, Mussafah) the bearing is approximately 256°. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is itself oriented toward this bearing.

Qibla direction in Al Ain

From Al Ain (Sanaiya, Falaj Hazaa, Town Centre) the bearing is approximately 257°.

Qibla direction in Sharjah

From Sharjah city (Al Majaz, Al Nahda, Al Khan, Muwaileh) the bearing is approximately 260°. East-coast Sharjah (Khor Fakkan, Kalba) sits closer to 265°.

Qibla direction in Ajman

From Ajman city (Al Nuaimiya, Al Rashidiya, Garden City) the bearing is approximately 260°.

Qibla direction in Ras Al Khaimah

From RAK city (Al Nakheel, Al Hamra, Mina Al Arab) the bearing is approximately 262°.

Qibla direction in Fujairah

From Fujairah city (Sakamkam, Al Faseel, Madhab) the bearing is approximately 265°.

Qibla direction in Umm Al Quwain

From UAQ town (Old Town, Al Salama, Al Maydan) the bearing is approximately 261°.

FAQ

Is magnetic declination a concern in the UAE?

Yes. A few degrees of magnetic declination can exist. Calibrate your phone compass and use the bearing as a guide rather than a pixel-perfect line.

Why do different apps show slightly different angles?

They may use different map projections, Earth models, or location rounding. Small differences are normal.

Can I use landmarks instead?

Yes. If you know a mosque's Qibla line nearby, aligning with it is acceptable, especially indoors.

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Sources & Methodology
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