{
  "calculation_method": "The Azadi Times Standard",
  "version": "2.1",
  "valid_for": "Himalayan regions above 1000m altitude",
  "parameters": {
    "fajr_angle": 18,
    "isha_angle": 18,
    "asr_method": "Shafi'i",
    "high_altitude_adjustment": true,
    "dhuhr_offset": 0,
    "maghrib_offset": "Sunset + 0 min"
  },
  "coordinates": {
    "reference_city": "Muzaffarabad",
    "latitude": 34.3700,
    "longitude": 73.4711
  },
  "certification": "Verified by Islamic Scholars Council of Kashmir"
}

The Azadi Times Method: A Scientific and Faithful Approach to Prayer Timings in Kashmir, Ladakh & Gilgit-Baltistan

Prayer holds a sacred place in the lives of Muslims, and the timing of each Salah (Namaz) is guided not only by religious principles but also by the movement of the sun across the sky. In a region like Jammu & Kashmir, divided between Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Indian-administered Kashmir, Ladakh, the geographical and astronomical dynamics make accurate Namaz timing especially challenging. High mountain ranges, deep valleys, long winters, and rapid shifts in sunrise and sunset times demand a method that is uniquely suited to local conditions. It is in response to these realities that The Azadi Times, an independent media network committed to serving the region’s unique needs, has developed its own prayer timing system: The Azadi Times Method.

Why Traditional Namaz Timing Systems Fall Short in Mountainous Kashmir and the Himalayan Belt

Most widely used global methods for Islamic prayer times—such as those developed in cities like Karachi, Cairo, or Mecca—are calibrated for flat, low-altitude environments. When these same formulas are applied to regions like Muzaffarabad, Skardu, or Leh, they often produce prayer times that are either too early or too late, especially for Fajr and Isha. This discrepancy occurs because twilight in elevated areas lasts longer, and the angles at which light enters the atmosphere vary with altitude and air density. In winter, some areas of Indian-administered Kashmir and northern Gilgit-Baltistan experience sunrises as late as 8:00 AM and sunsets before 5:00 PM, making prayer time calculations even more critical. Unfortunately, most prayer apps and mosque calendars do not take these local variations into account. This results in spiritual uncertainty for the practicing Muslim and inconsistency among religious institutions.

What Makes The Azadi Times Method Different and More Reliable

The Azadi Times Method is a regionally customized system that uses an 18-degree twilight angle for both Fajr and Isha prayers, which is astronomically appropriate for northern and mountainous zones. The method also follows the Shafi‘i calculation for Asr prayer, considers solar noon (Zawal) for Dhuhr, and sets Maghrib immediately after sunset. No arbitrary time shifts are added, which ensures authenticity and transparency. Developed by a team of local scholars, journalists, and developers working within The Azadi Times network, this method is not only scientifically grounded but also reflective of the cultural and religious life of the Kashmiri and Baltistani Muslim communities. Because it is tailored for high-altitude and geopolitically sensitive regions, it provides a more spiritually trustworthy and practically useful solution than imported models.

Who Can Use This Method — And Why It Matters

The Azadi Times Method is openly documented and accessible for developers, educational institutions, mosques, and local governments. It can be integrated with public websites, Islamic mobile apps, prayer clocks, and school systems across Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Indian-administered Kashmir, Ladakh, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Through Aladhan’s prayer timing API and other supported libraries like PrayTimes.js, developers can specify the 18-degree angle method in their tools and applications. This open-source flexibility allows local communities to finally access an accurate, region-specific calculation system—free of urban bias or foreign influence. For Imams, scholars, students, and families, this method brings consistency, trust, and a sense of control over their daily religious routine, aligned with both their environment and Islamic tradition.

A Step Toward Religious Accuracy and Digital Sovereignty in Disputed Regions

Kashmir and its neighboring regions have long been marginalized—both politically and digitally. While The Azadi Times stands for freedom of speech and regional journalism, it also believes in religious accuracy and digital sovereignty. By building and publishing a localized Namaz timing method, it offers not just a tool but a statement: that even in disputed and underrepresented areas, people can create, control, and share their own religious resources. This method is part of our wider vision to empower the people of Jammu & Kashmir with knowledge, faith, and independent digital solutions that reflect their real-world conditions and spiritual priorities. Whether you are a devout worshipper, a student of astronomy, or a community leader, The Azadi Times Method gives you a reliable way to connect with your faith based on data that is rooted in your land.