LAHORE, Jan 20: A clock seen in a mosque has raised a question about the definition of the word ‘clockwise’. Its arms move in a direction which on other clocks will be called ‘anti-clockwise.’ It tells accurate time, but one is confused at the first sight. Its dial is inscribed with Urdu numerals. Except for 12 and 6, which are where they are seen in other clocks, all other numerals are at the mirror-image, opposite positions.

For example, 1 is where 11 may be seen on a regular clock. Two, three, four and five are where 10, nine, eight and seven are on other clocks.

Seven, eight, nine, 10 and 11 are where five, four, three, two and one are in normal clocks.

The clock is mounted on the northern wall of the mosque at the Mayo Hospital. Interestingly, on the opposite wall is seen another clock whose arms move clock-wise, as defined in the dictionary. Thus, the word clock-wise has different meanings when one sees the two clocks at work. Had the numerals not been inscribed, a quick look at the clock in question would have simply confused anyone wishing to know time. When it is 1 by this clock, it should be 11 on the regular one. Similarly, two by this clock would mean 10 on a normal clock. It is not known who has made the clock in question.—Ashraf Mumtaz