Muslims praying— towards the east —in certain geolocations is often construed as embedded Arab imperialism - Here’s a list focusing on the significance of the east:

The direction in which Muslims pray — towards the east — is often construed as a embedded Arab imperialism or an indication of a geographically restricted religious practice.  This view overlooks a deeper, more profound spiritual and metaphysical edge that stretches beyond political boundaries. In numerous ancient cultures, the east has represented the direction of light, enlightenment, and the source of divine creation. From the sun's rise to the awakening of consciousness, the east represents a universal principle 

Sunrise: In many traditions, the east is where the sun rises, symbolizing new beginnings and enlightenment (both physical and spiritual).

Kabbalistic Wisdom: In Jewish Kabbalah, the east represents the direction from which divine wisdom and light emanate.

Wiccan Elements: In Wicca, east is the direction of air, representing intellect, communication, and the start of spiritual work.

Sufi Mysticism: Sufi practices associate the east with spiritual awakening, the beginning of the soul’s journey toward enlightenment.

Buddhist Awakening: The east represents the place of spiritual awakening, the direction of the rising sun, which is symbolic of the Buddha’s enlightenment.

Hindu Cosmology: The east is considered a divine direction associated with the birth of the universe and the manifestation of Brahman (the ultimate reality).

Zoroastrianism: Zoroastrians face east to pray, aligning themselves with the spiritual forces associated with the rising sun and cosmic order.

Eastern Gate in Judaism: The Messiah is prophesied in Jewish tradition to enter through the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem.

Christian Eschatology: In Christian belief, Christ will return from the east, referencing both His first and second coming (Matthew 24:27).

Sumerian & Babylonian Mythology: The gods, such as Marduk, were often depicted as emerging from the east to bring order and civilization.

Shamanic Practices: In many indigenous cultures, the east is the direction of spiritual rebirth and transformation, where the sun rises.

Alchemy: The east is considered the direction of intellectual and spiritual transformation, symbolizing the dawning of higher consciousness.

Astrological Birth Chart: The rising sign (Ascendant) in astrology is based on the eastern horizon at the time of birth, symbolizing a person’s outward personality.

Feng Shui: The east represents growth, health, and family, and is one of the most spiritually potent directions in Chinese metaphysics.

Quantum Physics: In certain interpretations, quantum mechanics’ concept of entanglement suggests that particles on opposite sides of the universe can be connected, metaphorically relating to the east's connection to the infinite.

Occultism & The Golden Dawn: In the occult, particularly in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, east is associated with the element of air, symbolizing the intellect and mental processes.

Mystery Schools: Ancient mystery schools, such as those of Egypt and Greece, often aligned their temples and initiatory rites with the east to symbolize enlightenment and awakening.

Eastern Horizon in Metaphysics: The eastern horizon in metaphysical terms often represents the gateway to higher consciousness, an opening into realms of divine energy.

Gnostic Beliefs: Gnostics viewed the east as a direction of spiritual purity, from where knowledge (gnosis) would dawn upon the seeker.

Esoteric Christianity: In some Christian mystical traditions, the east is seen as the direction from which the Holy Spirit enters into the world, symbolizing renewal and divine influence.

Hindu Chakras: In Hinduism, the Ajna chakra (the third eye) is sometimes associated with the east, representing insight and spiritual vision.

Theosophy: In Theosophy, east is often tied to spiritual enlightenment and the awakening of inner wisdom.

Pythagoreanism: The Pythagoreans viewed the east as a symbol of the harmony between the soul and the divine, particularly through mathematical and geometric principles.

Sanskrit and Sacred Texts: Many ancient Vedic texts and philosophies are thought to have originated in the east, where they were said to be revealed to humanity by divine beings.

Occult Symbols: The pentagram, a prominent symbol in occult traditions, often points toward the east as a marker of balance between the material and spiritual worlds.

Neoplatonism: East is symbolically linked to the higher intellect and the divine mind in Neoplatonic philosophy.

Occult Astrology: In occult astrology, the eastern quadrant is associated with the self and personal development.

Sacred Geometry: Many ancient structures, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, are aligned with the east to reflect the divine blueprint or sacred geometry of the universe.

Brahman in Hinduism: The east symbolizes the source of divine creation, with the sun rising from the cosmic ocean in Hindu mythology.

Mayan Cosmology: The Mayans associated the east with creation, with the rising sun marking the rebirth of the cosmos.

Pagan Rituals: In many pagan traditions, east is the direction where the god or goddess of dawn is honored in rituals.

Alchemy’s Dawn: Alchemists believed that the east was the direction in which the “philosopher’s stone” could be found, symbolizing transformation.

The Four Elements: In many esoteric systems, east is associated with the element of air, representing intellect, reason, and the mental body.

Divine Energies: The east is often considered the place where divine energies enter into the material world, a key theme in mystical traditions.

Vedic Cosmology: In Vedic cosmology, the east is considered the direction of the highest spiritual truth and the source of divine light.

Quantum Consciousness: Some interpretations of quantum consciousness suggest that the east, as the location of the sun's rise, symbolizes the "awakening" of individual and collective consciousness.

Eastern Philosophy: In Taoism, the east symbolizes the birth of the Tao, representing the flow of energy in nature and the universe.

Zen Buddhism: In Zen, east represents the awakening from illusion, or satori, the realization of one’s true nature.

Spiritual Ascension: The east is often associated with the ascent to spiritual heights, a universal symbol in metaphysical and mystical teachings.

Occult Initiation: In certain occult traditions, initiates face the east during rituals to receive enlightenment and wisdom from the divine.

Physics of Light: In quantum mechanics, light and photons are often discussed as crossing space from the east, symbolizing the spread of knowledge and energy across the cosmos.

The Hermetic Principle: In Hermeticism, the east represents the flow of mental energy, from which all creation emerges.

Taoist Alchemy: In Taoism, the east is associated with spiritual alchemy, where the practitioner draws energy from the sunrise to transform the self.

Mystic Geometry: In esoteric traditions, the golden ratio and other divine proportions are often linked to eastward alignments, symbolizing order and balance in the universe.

Sacred Space: In many religious traditions, sacred spaces are oriented to the east, aligning practitioners with the cosmic order.

Spiritual Direction: In certain New Age teachings, the east represents the direction of spiritual awakening and new insights.

Solar Symbolism: The sun’s path from east to west is seen as a metaphor for the journey of the soul, from birth (east) to death (west).

Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: In this occult order, east is linked to the intellectual and communicative powers of the element air.

Eastern Mandalas: Many Eastern spiritual traditions use mandalas, circular diagrams that often begin in the east, symbolizing cosmic unity and spiritual alignment.

Quantum Field Theory: The direction of east is sometimes linked metaphorically to the infinite potential of quantum fields, from which all particles and energies emerge.