Islamic prayer times in Shymkent (Kazakhstan) are astronomically calculated based on the coordinates 42.3417°N, 69.5969°E. NamazWorld uses the Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı (Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs) calculation method by default, with a Fajr angle of 18° and an Isha angle of 17°.
The 6 Daily Prayers
Muslims in Shymkent perform six prayers daily: Imsak (beginning of the fast, approx. 10 min. before Fajr), Fajr (morning prayer at dawn), Dhuhr (midday prayer after the zenith), Asr (afternoon prayer), Maghrib (evening prayer at sunset) and Isha (night prayer at nightfall).
Qibla Direction for Shymkent
The Qibla direction (direction towards the Kaaba in Mecca) in Shymkent is exactly 239° from geographic north. This calculation is based on the great circle method.
Recommended Calculation Method
For Shymkent in Kazakhstan, NamazWorld recommends the Diyanet method, which is used by most mosques in Central Europe. A total of 11 recognized calculation methods are available.
About Shymkent
Country
Kazakhstan
Region
Shymkent
Latitude
42.3417°
Longitude
69.5969°
Timezone
Asia/Almaty
Qibla Direction
239°
Distance to Mecca
3,615 km
Population
1,110,000
From the Quran
"And establish prayer and give zakat and bow with those who bow." — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:43
Calculation Method
Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı is used as the calculation method. You can change the method above to see times from other organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prayer Times in Shymkent
When is Fajr prayer today in Shymkent?
The Fajr prayer time in Shymkent is calculated daily based on the astronomical coordinates 42.34°N, 69.60°E. The exact time varies by season and is displayed on NamazWorld with a live countdown.
What is Imsak and how does it differ from Fajr?
Imsak marks the beginning of the fasting period, approximately 10 minutes before the Fajr prayer. During Ramadan, eating and drinking should stop at Imsak. Fajr is the actual morning prayer time. In Shymkent, the two times are typically about 10 minutes apart.
Which calculation method is recommended for Shymkent?
For Shymkent in Kazakhstan, NamazWorld recommends the Diyanet method (Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs). In Europe, this method is used by most mosques. Alternatively, 10 other methods are available, including MWL, ISNA, Umm al-Qura and the Egyptian General Authority.
How accurate are the prayer times for Shymkent?
Prayer times are astronomically calculated using the exact GPS coordinates of Shymkent. Accuracy is within ±1 minute. The calculation takes into account solar elevation, geographic location and the time zone Asia/Almaty.
How is the Qibla direction calculated for Shymkent?
The Qibla direction for Shymkent is calculated using the great circle method — the shortest route on the Earth's surface between Shymkent and the Kaaba in Mecca (21.4225°N, 39.8262°E).
When does fasting begin and end in Shymkent?
In Shymkent, fasting begins at Imsak time (approx. 10 min. before Fajr) and ends at Maghrib (sunset). The fasting duration varies by season — in summer it can exceed 16 hours, in winter it can be under 9 hours.
What do the individual prayer times mean?
Fajr (Dawn): first light on the horizon. Sunrise (Shuruq): end of Fajr time. Dhuhr (Noon): sun at its zenith. Asr (Afternoon): shadow of an object equals its length. Maghrib (Sunset): sun disappears below the horizon. Isha (Night): last twilight disappears.
Why do prayer times in Shymkent differ from other cities?
Prayer times depend directly on geographic location. Even 50 km of distance can lead to differences of 1–3 minutes. Cities further north have longer summer days and later Isha times. NamazWorld calculates the times for each city individually using exact coordinates.
Can I see the prayer times for Shymkent in advance?
Yes, in the monthly overview on the Shymkent city page you will find all prayer times for the entire month. You can also browse past and future months using the arrow buttons.
Is daylight saving time taken into account for prayer times?
NamazWorld automatically accounts for daylight saving time for Shymkent in the time zone Asia/Almaty. The displayed prayer times are always in the currently valid local time.