Laylat ul Qadr, holiest night of Ramadan 2026: Thousands gather in UAE and Saudi Arabia for Night of Power prayers

as Ramadan Entering its most important spiritual phase, tens of thousands of Muslim worshipers across the Gulf gathered in mosques for special prayers to mark the “Night of Qadr”, widely considered Islam’s holiest night. Believers in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia During the holy final days of Ramadan, major mosques are packed with people seeking forgiveness, blessings and spiritual renewal.

Thousands gather at holy site to perform Laylat ul Qadr prayers United Arab Emirates and saudi arabia

Large gatherings were reported at some of the region’s most iconic places of worship, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Al-Haram Mosque, where thousands of worshipers gathered for late-night prayers, recitations of the Quran and supplications. The atmosphere in these mosques reflects the deep spiritual significance of the evening, with worshipers spending hours praying and meditating.Laylat ul Qadr, often translated as “Night of Power” or “Night of Decree,” is considered by Muslims to be the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It takes place during the last ten nights of Ramadan and is considered more meaningful than a thousand months of worship.

The spiritual intensity of the last ten nights of Ramadan

As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, mosques across the Gulf have seen a surge in worshipers performing nightly Qiyam-ul-Layl prayers, reading the Quran and performing dua (invocations). Many believers also participate in iʿtikaf, a practice in which Muslims stay in the mosque for extended periods of time exclusively to worship.Many Muslims generally believe that the 27th night of Ramadan is Laylat ul Qadr, but the exact night has not been determined and could occur on any odd night during the last ten days of Ramadan.

UAE mosques brace for huge crowds at Laylat ul Qadr

UAE authorities expect large crowds on the last night of Ramadan. Special arrangements have been made around the main mosque, including extra transport services, parking spaces and security measures, to accommodate the large number of worshipers expected to attend late-night prayers.Thousands of worshipers gathered shoulder to shoulder to pray at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, one of the largest mosques in the world. The mosque’s spacious courtyards and prayer halls are crowded with devotees who come seeking the great spiritual rewards associated with this blissful night.

Prayers at Islam’s holiest site in Saudi Arabia during Qadr

In Saudi Arabia, similarly large crowds gathered at the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, two of Islam’s holiest sites. Pilgrims performing Umrah and local devotees joined in the special night prayers, with thousands raising their hands in prayer, creating a strong atmosphere of piety.The atmosphere inside Mecca’s Grand Mosque has been described as deeply spiritual, with worshipers filling every available space around the Kaaba and pouring into the surrounding courtyards. Many devotees prayed throughout the night hoping to receive the blessings of Lailat ul-Qadr.

Laylat ul Qadr: A night considered to have great blessings

Laylat ul Qadr holds a unique place in the Islamic faith. According to the Quran, this night of prayer is considered better than more than a thousand months of prayer, making it one of the most important spiritual opportunities for believers to seek forgiveness and divine mercy. As the exact dates are unknown, Muslims are encouraged to intensify their prayers during the last ten nights of Ramadan. For many, this means attending nightly prayers, participating in charitable works, and seeking spiritual closeness to God.People are looking forward to Eid al-Fitr 2026. As Ramadan comes to an end, people are preparing for Eid al-Fitr eid al-fitr The Muslim world is starting to do the same. However, for many believers, the final night of Ramadan remains a time of reflection, repentance and devotion rather than a time of celebration. In mosques in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, scenes of worship during Qadr highlight the deep spiritual unity among Muslims around the world. The sacred atmosphere of Ramadan reaches its most profound moment as worshipers gather under the night sky to pray, a time defined by faith, humility and hope in divine mercy.