MUSCAT -- Taraweeh prayers -- special evening prayers held in Ramadhan during which long portions of the Holy Quran are recited attracted unusually large number of worshippers this year from across many nationalities. Oman is dotted with beautifult mosques and there is hardly any mosque that doesn't conduct Taraweeh prayers. However, some mosques stand out on account of unusually large turnout of attendees from several countries. For example, an old mosque in the Ruwi Fish Market is a case in point. At this mosque a large number of Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and other Muslims attend Taraweeh prayers.
Similarly, at the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Ruwi, Isha and Taraweeh prayers are conducted by an Omani Imam from 8 pm to 8.45 pm. Afterwards, Indian spiritual leader Muhammad Kamal Asghar leads Taraweeh prayers (9 to 10.30 pm), which he has been doing for the last 19 years. The long, deep-hearted invocations for the prosperity and progress of the entire Muslim Ummah is a particularly impressive feature at his prayers. A mosque in Wadi Kabir known as Pakistan Camp also comes alive during Ramadhan because Muslims of several nationalities attend Taraweeh prayers at this mosque under the leadership of Hafiz Hamid Ali Khan and Hafiz Luqman Shaukat Ali Khan.
At the mosque at the Ministry of Education, multitudes of worshippers from various countries attend Taraweeh prayers under the leadership of Hafiz Hamid Bilal and Hafiz Abdul Rahman. A new feature this year was that very young boys who have memorised the entire Holy Quran led Taraweeh prayers and this enlivened the atmosphere all the more. Prayer leaders said Taraweeh prayers develop and deepen an understanding of the Holy Quran, which invites humanity to good deeds, righeosuness, God-conciousness and exhorts them to build bonds of unity in their ranks. Unity is at the heart of all Islamic events in general and during Ramadhan in particular.
After Taraweeh prayers, families and friends exchange invitations for Iftar parties, prepare collective Iftar, make home visits and socialise. Most Islamic activities are congregational in nature, which coupled with charity, foster social solidarity with one and all in society at large. In addition to spiritual benefits, the congregational Taraweeh prayers go a long way in bringing people together and cementing bonds of brotherhood and unity of the Islamic Ummah the global Muslim community.
By Hasan Kamoonpuri
© Oman Daily Observer 2007
