Thousands of worshippers have started I’tikaf, a special spiritual retreat focused on prayer, reflection, and seeking the blessings of Laylatul Qadr. During the last ten nights of Ramadan, mosques will become places of deep devotion as people dedicate their time to worship until the moon of Eid-ul-Fitr is sighted.
During this final Ashra of Ramadan, participants remain inside mosques in seclusion. They spend their time praying, reflecting, and reciting the Quran while hoping to witness Laylatul Qadr, also known as the Night of Power. In Islamic belief, worship performed on this night is considered more valuable than worship done for a thousand months.
Many well-known mosques have made special arrangements to host the large number of people taking part in I’tikaf. Traditionally, men observe I’tikaf in mosques, while women usually perform it at home. Mosque administrations have arranged Sehri and Iftar meals, as well as basic sleeping facilities, for worshippers who will stay in the mosques throughout the last ten days of Ramadan.
In Lahore, major preparations have been made at several important religious sites. About 1,600 people are expected to observe I’tikaf at Data Darbar, where the Department of Auqaf is providing food and accommodation for the participants. At the historic Badshahi Mosque, around 800 worshippers are expected to take part in the spiritual retreat.
Thousands of other devotees will gather at well-known religious institutions such as Jamia Al Qadsiya Mosque Chauburji, Jamia Naeemia, Jamia Ashrafia, and Jamia Masjid-e-Shaheed. Large groups of worshippers will spend the last ten days of Ramadan in prayer and collective worship at these locations.
Meanwhile, in a surprising decision, Tahir-ul-Qadri, the founder of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, has decided not to hold the organization’s annual Shehr-e-I’tikaf this year. This decision has temporarily ended a 35-year tradition that used to attract thousands of participants from across Pakistan and other countries.
