Kamal Ghorui
As Ramadan enters its most spiritually significant phase, thousands of Muslim worshippers across the Gulf have gathered in mosques for special prayers marking Laylat ul Qadr, widely regarded as the holiest night in Islam. Believers in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia filled major mosques late into the night, seeking forgiveness, blessings and spiritual renewal during the sacred final days of Ramadan.
Thousands gather for Laylat ul Qadr prayers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Large congregations were reported at some of the region’s most iconic places of worship, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Masjid al-Haram, where thousands of worshippers gathered for late-night prayers, recitation of the Holy Quran and supplications. The atmosphere in these mosques reflected the deep spiritual significance of the night, with believers spending hours in prayer and reflection.Laylat ul Qadr, often translated as the “Night of Power” or “Night of Decree,” is believed by Muslims to be the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It occurs during the final ten nights of Ramadan and is considered more rewarding than a thousand months of worship.
Spiritual intensity during the last ten nights of Ramadan
As Ramadan draws to a close, mosques across the Gulf region see a surge in worshippers who spend the night performing Qiyam-ul-Layl prayers, reading the Quran and making dua (supplications). Many believers also engage in iʿtikāf, a practice where Muslims remain in the mosque for extended periods devoted solely to worship.The 27th night of Ramadan is widely believed by many Muslims to be Laylat ul Qadr, although the exact night is not definitively known and could fall on any of the odd nights in the last ten days of the holy month.
UAE mosques prepare for massive crowds on Laylat ul Qadr
Authorities in the UAE anticipated huge crowds during the final nights of Ramadan. Special arrangements were made around major mosques, including additional transport services, parking spaces and security measures to accommodate the large number of worshippers expected to attend the late-night prayers.At the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, one of the largest mosques in the world, thousands of worshippers gathered shoulder-to-shoulder in prayer. The mosque’s expansive courtyards and prayer halls were filled with faithful who had come seeking the immense spiritual rewards associated with the blessed night.
Devotion at Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia during Laylat ul Qadr
In Saudi Arabia, similarly large crowds gathered at Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, two of the holiest sites in Islam. Pilgrims performing Umrah and local worshippers alike joined in the special night prayers, creating a powerful scene of devotion as thousands raised their hands in supplication.The atmosphere inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca was described as deeply spiritual, with worshippers filling every available space around the Kaaba and spilling into surrounding courtyards. Many believers spent the entire night in prayer, hoping to catch the blessings of Laylat ul Qadr.
Laylat ul Qadr: A night believed to hold immense blessings
Laylat ul Qadr holds a unique place in Islamic belief. According to the Quran, worship performed on this night is considered better than that performed over a thousand months, making it one of the most spiritually significant opportunities for believers to seek forgiveness and divine mercy. Since the exact date is unknown, Muslims are encouraged to intensify their worship throughout the last ten nights of Ramadan. For many, this means attending nightly prayers, engaging in charity and seeking spiritual closeness to God.Anticipation builds for Eid Al Fitr 2026. As Ramadan nears its conclusion, preparations for Eid al-Fitr are also beginning across the Muslim world. However, for many believers, the final nights of Ramadan remain a time for reflection, repentance and devotion rather than celebration. Across mosques in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the scenes of worship during Laylat ul Qadr highlight the deep spiritual unity shared by Muslims around the world. As worshippers gather under the night sky in prayer, the sacred atmosphere of Ramadan reaches its most profound moment, one defined by faith, humility and hope for divine mercy.
