Which direction are we supposed to face during salaat? Qibla direction in the US northeast?

Based on our research, the direction of Qibla in North America is in a North%0D%0AEasterly direction. This is based on the fact that the earth is spherical in%0D%0Ashape and by facing in the North Easterly direction it would be the shortest%0D%0Adistance between him and Makkah.%0D%0A%0D%0AFind hereunder a reply to a similar question.%0D%0A%0D%0AAnd Allah Ta%E3la Knows Best.%0D%0A%0D%0AWas salaam%0D%0A%0D%0AYours faithfully%0D%0A%0D%0AMufti Ebrahim Desai%0D%0AFATWA DEPT.%0D%0A%0D%0A13 August, 1996%0D%0A28 Rabi ul Awwal, 1417%0D%0A%0D%0AHadhrat Moulana A. S. Desai Saheb 'By Fax' (041)%0D%0A413566%0D%0AMujlisul Ulama of SA%0D%0APORT ELIZABETH%0D%0A%0D%0ARespected Moulana Saheb%0D%0A%0D%0AAssalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakatuhu%0D%0A%0D%0AQibla in America%0D%0AAfter extensive research in the direction of the Qibla in America, it is the%0D%0Aview of this humble servant of Islam that the Qibla direction in America is%0D%0ANorth East and not South East as pointed out in your fax of 95%2F05%2F07 and the%0D%0Alast issue of "The Majlis".%0D%0A%0D%0ADirection is determined by using the North Pole as the focal point. The%0D%0ANorth Pole is the center of direction and it is used as a reference in order%0D%0Ato relate direction. However, in order to determine the direction of the%0D%0AKa'bah, there will be a drastic change between the earth being a surface and%0D%0Athe earth being spherical and oblate. Consider the following illustration of%0D%0Aan orange peel. When a visible mark is made on the orange peel and the%0D%0Aorange is carefully peeled and flattened, the mark will not remain at the%0D%0Asame point. The earth is a sphere and expressing directions of this sphere%0D%0Aas a surface creates great distortions. In short distances, this may be%0D%0Ainsignificant but in long distances it will matter. Our concern here is the%0D%0Adirection of facing Makkah and not the direction one would take to reach%0D%0AMakkah. Whilst the direction to reach Makkah may be many but the direction%0D%0Aof facing Makkah from any point will only be one. Not withstanding the%0D%0Aarguments of the modernists in their decision, the underlying principle of%0D%0Athe Fuqahaa (for those who cannot see the Ka'bah) is to face the direction%0D%0Aof the Ka'bah. The direction of travelling (i.e. shortest route along the%0D%0Agreat circles) undoubtedly cannot be a blanket rule in determining the%0D%0Adirection of the Ka'bah due to the constant change of directions.%0D%0A%0D%0AIt is not necessary that the great circle route will always (NOT) be the%0D%0Adirection of facing your destination neither will the rhumb line route%0D%0Aalways be the method of facing your destination. However, the rising and%0D%0Asetting of the sun will determine East and West, and the movement of the sun%0D%0Ais according to the spherical shape of the earth. Therefore, when%0D%0Adetermining direction on earth, the spherical shape of the earth cannot be%0D%0Aignored.%0D%0A%0D%0AIf the earth is regarded to be a surface in determining the Qibla, then the%0D%0Avarying degrees of the movement of the sun in different seasons would not%0D%0Ahave been decisive in ascertaining the direction of Qibla. This itself is%0D%0Aindicative in considering the oblate sphere of the earth in determining the%0D%0AQibla. Similarly, the North and South will be determined according to the%0D%0Aspherical shape of the earth - and not just any North or South. (Ref. 1%0D%0AJawaahirul Fiqh pg. 236 also see illustration on pg. 280 and 296, Ref. 2%0D%0AIrshaadul Aabid, Ahsanul Fataawa, Vol. 2). In the light of the above%0D%0Aexplanation, my suggestion would be that the direction of facing Makkah from%0D%0AAmerica would be North East and not South East. If a person faces in the%0D%0ASouth East direction, according to the spherical shape of the earth, he will%0D%0Anot face Makkah. On the other hand, if he faces North East he will%0D%0Adefinitely be facing Makkah.%0D%0A%0D%0AIt is not necessary that by regarding the earth as a globe there will be two%0D%0AQibla's. Makkah is 21o North of Equator. In a case when a person travels 21o%0D%0AWest of Makkah and halts in the Pacific opposite Makkah, although there will%0D%0Abe two routes to reach Makkah (the Westerly and Easterly), but, the question%0D%0Ahere is facing Makkah and not reaching Makkah. Furthermore, if it is assumed%0D%0Athat a person is on the North Pole then the direction of Qibla will not be%0D%0Atoward all directions that are equidistant of Makkah. The question is not of%0D%0Adistance but it is of direction of facing Makkah. In such a situation the%0D%0AQibla from the North pole would be South along the longitude of 39o50'. It%0D%0Awill not be in all directions.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe quotations of geographers mentioned in your article is in conflict with%0D%0Athe views of local geographers and land surveyors. Therefore, the matter is%0D%0Aof dispute between themselves. Find attached some information from Chief%0D%0ADirectorate: Surveys and Land Information.%0D%0A%0D%0AHadhrat Mufti Rashid Saheb is also of the opinion that the Qibla in America%0D%0Ais in the N. Easterly direction. Ahsanul Fatwa Volume 2 Pages 313, 314, 315,%0D%0A316 and 317).%0D%0A%0D%0AWas salaam%0D%0A%0D%0AYours faithfully%0D%0A%0D%0A(Signed)%0D%0AMufti E. Desai%0D%0AFATWA DEPT.%0D%0A%0D%0A