2.5 million Muslims gather in Mecca for the Holy Night Prayers of Ramadan, while Nigeria celebrates Eid Fitr this week.
On Friday, one of the holiest nights of Ramadan, a massive throng of 2.5 million Muslims gathered for prayers at the Mecca Grand Mosque and surrounding areas in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Massive crowds gather in Mecca for the Islamic pilgrimages known as the Hajj and the smaller Hajj known as the Umra during the month of Ramadan.
As night prayers were held on the final Friday of Ramadan, the General Authority for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah reported that arrangements for a sizable number of Umrah pilgrims went without a hitch.
As the spiritual pinnacle of the holy month, Laylat Al Qadr (The Night of Destiny) commemorates the moment the archangel Gabriel first appeared to the Prophet Mohammed and began revealing the Quran. For many, this night marked that moment.
Those who think their prayers have the best chance of being answered celebrate this night. It’s a festive period when, across the Muslim world, stores stay open until the wee hours of the morning and children are permitted to stay up late.
“We planned for this large number of people both domestic and foreign pilgrims as well as worshippers from the local province of Makkah to descend on the holy grounds of the mosque and we can confirm that more than 2.5 million pilgrims prayed last night,” Mohammed Al Bassami, director general of the Saudi Traffic Directorate, told reporters.
“We ensured we doubled our security forces across the grounds to facilitate the smooth control of crowds who wished to pray at the mosque on the holiest night of Ramadan,” he added.
The Umrah pilgrims and worshippers who came to perform the Isha, Taraweeh, and Qiyam Al Layl prayers filled the Grand Mosque and its courtyards to capacity.
President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Abdulrahman Al Sudais led a special prayer to conclude the Qiyam Al Layl prayers.
Although the exact date of Laylat Al Qadr is still unknown, the Prophet Mohammed (Saw) claimed that it takes place on an odd-numbered night during the final ten nights of Ramadan; many people believe this to be the 27th.
In order to celebrate the Eid Fitr festival marking the end of Ramadan fasting, the Nigerian government will declare Tuesday or Wednesday, or both, as public holidays this week.
