ABU DHABI // The crowds pause as the sound of the microphone is turned on, drinking final sips of water and aligning for the Fajr prayer.
As Ibrahim Anna recites the call, worshippers gathered at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque transition into their first day of fasting in prayer. The weather is at its coolest just before sunrise, at 32°C. However, men gathering for the prayer perspire in the humidity.
A sense of calm and order surrounds the methodical movements in kneeling and posturing up again, as Fajr calls Muslims for a short but important prayer.
After reciting from Surat Al Shuraa, leading the morning prayer, Mr Anna described the feelings he has during Ramadan.
“You feel rejuvenated, it’s almost electrifying how things that happened in this year cease to matter in the practise of faith during this holy month,” said Mr Anna, who works in the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which has a capacity of 40,000, is expected to welcome more than 750,000 Muslims from around the region for worship during Ramadan.
Having recently been voted second on TripAdvisor's world top 25 landmarks to visit, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a key tourist attraction for the UAE.
Hours for non-Muslims during Ramadan have been limited from 9am to 2pm and there will be no visiting hours on Fridays.
Aside from the regular iftar tents, of which there are 13 erected in the mosque this year, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has provided water and dates for worshippers to quench their thirst and eat in breaking the fast.
Ali Mohammed and his 10-year-old son, Ahmed, woke at 3am to arrive in time for the Fajr prayer.
“It’s a deep feeling of peace and happiness to be able to wake up and go to pray, I hope to instil this in my son,” said Mr Mohammed.
During the month of Ramadan, several prominent imams will lead taraweeh prayers.
Imams include Idrees Akbar, Sheikh Zayed Mosque’s official imam, along with Abdulmajeed Al Arkani of Saudi Arabia.
Taraweeh prayers will bring together about 30,000 worshippers to the mosque to observe a marathon of nightly prayers starting after the final prayer of Isha.
Along with Asr, Al Fajr prayer holds a special place in the five daily prayers for Muslims because it is a testament of dedication and a sign of piety.
According to Al Buhkaree Hadiths of the Prophet Mohammed: “There are angels who take turns in visiting you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the dawn (Fajr) and the afternoon (Asr) prayers.”
nalwasmi@thenational.ae
