Taraweeh prayers ‘highlight of holy month’ for worshippers
Ramadan nights hold a special significance for Muslims, who join family, friends and fellow worshippers to strengthen their faith through prayer.
Taraweeh is a nightly prayer performed during the holy month and takes place after the obligatory isha prayer each evening.
It is a voluntary act of worship and can be performed in an intimate setting at home or in the communal atmosphere of the mosque.
The taraweeh prayer consists of a minimum of eight rakats – the set of movements carried out by worshippers when praying – similar to daily prayers.
For Hussain Taj, a 40-yearold Egyptian resident in Sharjah, taraweeh prayers serve as “a poignant reminder of the values that underpin Islam – unity, empathy and spiritual renewal”.
“Ramadan is aligned with taraweeh prayer. It is only performed during the holy month and it is a chance for all Muslims
to be closer to Allah,” he told The National.
Mr Taj, who has lived in the UAE for 14 years, broke his first fast of Ramadan 1445 at his friend’s home on Monday and later joined hundreds of worshippers at Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah. He said he loves to take part in the additional
prayer at the mosque, where the surroundings are beautiful.
“Ramadan is a spiritual month and taraweeh is one of the highlights of the holy month,” he said.
“There are many rewards for praying taraweeh, including the forgiveness of sins. The rewards are significantly bigger as they are multiplied throughout the month of Ramadan.”
Amjad Nasar, 34, attended Al Noor Mosque with two nephews, aged eight and 11.
“I want them to know about taraweeh prayer and keep it as a memory for them, and to know more about traditions in Ramadan,” he told The National.
“Taraweeh has an amazing spiritual benefit.
“The voice of the imam reading from the Quran, people gathering and filling the mosque gives you remarkable moments during Ramadan.”
Mr Nasar moved to Dubai after he married, but he often joins relatives in Sharjah.
“I always join my family during Ramadan and come to Sharjah to break the fast and perform prayers,” he said.
Majid Hassan, a 42-yearold Iraqi engineer, said the taraweeh prayer is a form of meditation to reduce stress.
“The word taraweeh derives from the Arabic word for resting and relaxing. The repetitive nature of prayer movements and the focus on recitation can have a calming effect, and can reduce stress and anxiety,” said Mr Hassan.
“The taraweeh prayers offer Muslims an opportunity for spiritual reflection, self-discipline and renewal.”
After taraweeh prayers, the faithful gather for meals and read the Quran.
This year, Muslims in the UAE begin the month by fasting for about 13 hours and 52 minutes and the final fast will be about 15 hours.
President Sheikh Mohamed posted a Ramadan message on social media on Monday.
“May this period of reflection and prayer bring us closer together and strengthen our bonds of unity and compassion. I wish you a blessed Ramadan filled with peace, harmony and spiritual growth,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote.