Maungdaw, Arakan State: The holyday Shab-e-Barat was observed in northern Arakan with due religious solemnity on the evening of Sunday July 17, said a religious leader from Maungdaw Town.
“Thousands of Rohingya Muslims offered 'nafal' prayers at mosques and homes and recited from the Holy Qur'an in observance of one of the most meaningful nights of forgiveness, fortune, hopes and aspirations.”
“They sought the blessings of Almighty Allah for long lives, peace, progress, good health and happiness for them, their families, relatives and friends, and offered special prayers with hopes of forgiveness and eternal peace for their departed parents and the older generations.”
In northern Arakan, mosques were not illuminated, but in other parts of Burma mosques were illuminated and ‘zikrs’ were organized at the mosques, said another religious leader from Buthidaung town.
“Special discussions were held at the mosques after the Esha Prayers where the Imams delivered speeches narrating spiritual significance of regarding the sacred night.”
Many of the Rohingya Muslims have to stay for the whole night at the mosques to offer special prayers and 'ziarats' at the graveyards of their forefathers and departed relatives and friends, and to seek forgiveness and eternal peace for all, but because of the restrictions of the Nasaka (Burma’s border security force), the villagers did not go out of their homes at night after 10 pm, said a local elder in Maungdaw Township.
“Special prayers were also offered seeking divine blessings and kindness for the overall welfare, successes and good luck of humanity, the country, its people and the Muslim Ummah as a whole across the world.”
The holy Shab-e-Barat night is observed especially in South-Asia and South-East Asian countries, but not in the Middle East countries, said a businessman from Maungdaw who has traveled abroad.
