Look: 50,000 Dubai residents gather to offer Qiyam prayers on 27th night of Ramadan

Look: 50,000 Dubai residents gather to offer Qiyam prayers on 27th night of Ramadan

Worshippers call it a 'night of solace', speak about how much comfort and peace they derive from these prayers

Published: Wed 19 Apr 2023, 7:17 AM

As many as 50,000 residents, with ages ranging from 15 to well over 80, gathered on the 27th night of Ramadan to perform Qiyam (Tahajjud) prayers in mosques all over Dubai.

A sea of worshippers prayed to Allah for His blessings, mercy and absolution. “The night was of so much comfort, and we modestly prayed to the Almighty to accept our fasting,” said Mohammed Rashid, an octogenarian who accompanied his son and grandson to Yaqub Masjid, Deira.

Qiyam prayers are offered as a form of obedience, to seek forgiveness of sins and pray for a great reward on the Day of Judgement.

Rashid has been offering these prayers wherever he has lived - be it Saudi Arabia, India, or UAE. “I started my Qiyam in 1982 when I was in Jeddah. We travelled to Makkah specially for these prayers. A few times, I could not offer my prayers in the mosques either because of the pandemic or some health issues. However, I made it a point [to pray] in isolation,” said Rashid.

Dubai Quran Reciters

Jassim Mohammed Al Khazarji, Director of