Pakistani mosques across the country buzzed with an air of spirituality as hundreds of thousands of worshippers performed Isha and Taraweeh prayers on the first night of Ramadan. Fasting in Ramazan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is a fundamental pillar of Islam.
This year, as it did every holy month, the city of Lahore saw an overwhelming turnout for Taraweeh prayers. The mosques were abuzz with devotion and unity, highlighting the festival’s spiritual essence. Organizers implemented meticulous measures to ensure safety and comfort for all worshippers.
The significance of Ramadan is immense; fasting this month has been deemed essential since the dawn of Islam. This year, it was particularly notable due to its observance as the first Taraweeh prayer in 1447 Hijri. The moon sighting confirmed by Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, who chaired a Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meeting in Peshawar, signified the beginning of Ramadan.
Taraweeh prayers, considered non-obligatory but integral to religious observance, were particularly significant this year. Thousands across the country gathered at well-lit mosques for these nightly gatherings, creating an atmosphere rich with communal devotion and shared spirituality.
One resident, Ali from Lahore, expressed his enthusiasm about the Taraweeh prayer: “Today marks the first night of Taraweeh, where we must continue to offer this prayer with zeal throughout the month. We also invite others to join us for these prayers daily.”
Azad’s statement confirmed that despite varying weather conditions across different regions, including clear skies in some areas and clouds elsewhere, moon sightings were indeed recorded from multiple locations such as Quetta, Islamabad, Waziristan, Dir, Karachi, Buner, Mardan, and Tando Allahyar.
This Ramadan is unique in its observance of the inaugural Taraweeh prayer under the auspices of a unified committee. Through these measures, Pakistan’s mosques have upheld their traditional role as sanctuaries for spiritual enlightenment and collective worship.