The Study of Air Temperature When the Sun Path Direction to Ka’abah: with a Case Study of Al-Malik Khalid Mosque, Malaysia

A field study on the environment condition especially air temperature was carried out in the main prayer hall of Al-Malik Khalid mosque, Penang, Malaysia. The main purpose of this study is to investigate and observe the indoor air temperature conditions during the occurrence of the sun path towards qibla direction on 16th July 2010. The scope of the study covers the main prayer hall under the pyramid roof. A quantitative method was used in the analysis by using thermo hygro anemometer instrument to measure the indoor and outdoor air temperature. The temperature was measured hourly, during daylight hours from 7am to 7pm in July 2010 from 15th to 17th. The result obtained shows that the mosque has the correct and accurate orientation to the qibla. In addition, there are no significant difference between the day of 16th July where the sun was perpendicular over the Ka’abah and one day after and before. The average difference between indoor and outdoor is about 0.46°C to 1.71°C.