• Worshippers gather at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi at midnight, on the start of the 27th day of Ramadan. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Worshippers gather at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi at midnight, on the start of the 27th day of Ramadan. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • The last 10 days of Ramadan are particularly blessed in Islam.
    The last 10 days of Ramadan are particularly blessed in Islam.
  • Laylat Al Qadr is the night when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.
    Laylat Al Qadr is the night when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.
  • Prayers and good acts by Muslims are said to be rewarded with extra blessings on Laylat Al Qadr.
    Prayers and good acts by Muslims are said to be rewarded with extra blessings on Laylat Al Qadr.
  • The sprawling mosque courtyard, one of the largest of its kind, was at capacity early on Thursday morning.
    The sprawling mosque courtyard, one of the largest of its kind, was at capacity early on Thursday morning.
  • Many parents took their children to experience the occasion.
    Many parents took their children to experience the occasion.
  • Laylat Al Qadr is also known as the Night of Destiny.
    Laylat Al Qadr is also known as the Night of Destiny.
  • Thousands perform nighttime prayers.
    Thousands perform nighttime prayers.
  • The mosque, including the courtyard, can accommodate at least 40,000 worshippers. About 7,000 people can fit in the main prayer hall.
    The mosque, including the courtyard, can accommodate at least 40,000 worshippers. About 7,000 people can fit in the main prayer hall.
  • Women and girls pray in the women's section of the mosque.
    Women and girls pray in the women's section of the mosque.
  • The men's and women's sections of the mosque in Abu Dhabi.
    The men's and women's sections of the mosque in Abu Dhabi.

Worshippers gather at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as end of Ramadan draws near


  • English
  • Arabic

Large crowds of worshippers gathered at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on Wednesday night to perform midnight prayers during what is considered the most significant phase of Ramadan.

The final 10 days of the holy month are particularly special for Muslims, as it is during this time that the first verses of the Quran were said to have been revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.

This moment is marked by Laylat Al Qadr, or the night of destiny, which is observed on an odd-numbered night within the last 10 days of Ramadan.

The 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th nights of Ramadan could be the night of destiny, so the period takes on great importance.

The landmark Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a focal point of the UAE's Ramadan celebrations. Thousands of people regularly visit the mosque to pray, reflect on their faith with friends and family, and break their fast at communal iftars.

The place of worship welcomed 6,582,993 worshippers and visitors in 2024. It marked a 20 per cent year-on-year increase.

Among the total worshippers, 281,941 attended Friday prayers, while 709,875 participated in daily prayers. Ramadan and Eid prayers attracted 617,458 worshippers, with the 27th night of Ramadan witnessing a record 87,186 attendees, including 70,680 worshippers, the highest number in the mosque’s history.

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdd%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EParippu%20%E2%80%93%20moong%20dal%20and%20coconut%20curry%3Cbr%3ESambar%20%E2%80%93%20vegetable-infused%20toor%20dal%20curry%3Cbr%3EAviyal%20%E2%80%93%20mixed%20vegetables%20in%20thick%20coconut%20paste%3Cbr%3EThoran%20%E2%80%93%20beans%20and%20other%20dry%20veggies%20with%20spiced%20coconut%3Cbr%3EKhichdi%20%E2%80%93%20lentil%20and%20rice%20porridge%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOptional%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EKootukari%20%E2%80%93%20stew%20of%20black%20chickpeas%2C%20raw%20banana%2C%20yam%20and%20coconut%20paste%3Cbr%3EOlan%20%E2%80%93%20ash%20gourd%20curry%20with%20coconut%20milk%3Cbr%3EPulissery%20%E2%80%93%20spiced%20buttermilk%20curry%3Cbr%3ERasam%20%E2%80%93%20spice-infused%20soup%20with%20a%20tamarind%20base%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvoid%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EPayasam%20%E2%80%93%20sweet%20vermicelli%20kheer%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sheer grandeur

The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.

A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.

RESULT

Manchester United 2 Burnley 2
Man United:
 Lingard (53', 90' 1)
Burnley: Barnes (3'), Defour (36')

Man of the Match: Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)

Federer's 11 Wimbledon finals

2003 Beat Mark Philippoussis

2004 Beat Andy Roddick

2005 Beat Andy Roddick

2006 Beat Rafael Nadal

2007 Beat Rafael Nadal

2008 Lost to Rafael Nadal

2009 Beat Andy Roddick

2012 Beat Andy Murray

2014 Lost to Novak Djokovic

2015 Lost to Novak Djokovic

2017 Beat Marin Cilic

Where to buy

Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com

Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34

Normcore explained

Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.

Salah in numbers

€39 million: Liverpool agreed a fee, including add-ons, in the region of 39m (nearly Dh176m) to sign Salah from Roma last year. The exchange rate at the time meant that cost the Reds £34.3m - a bargain given his performances since.

13: The 25-year-old player was not a complete stranger to the Premier League when he arrived at Liverpool this summer. However, during his previous stint at Chelsea, he made just 13 Premier League appearances, seven of which were off the bench, and scored only twice.

57: It was in the 57th minute of his Liverpool bow when Salah opened his account for the Reds in the 3-3 draw with Watford back in August. The Egyptian prodded the ball over the line from close range after latching onto Roberto Firmino's attempted lob.

7: Salah's best scoring streak of the season occurred between an FA Cup tie against West Brom on January 27 and a Premier League win over Newcastle on March 3. He scored for seven games running in all competitions and struck twice against Tottenham.

3: This season Salah became the first player in Premier League history to win the player of the month award three times during a term. He was voted as the division's best player in November, February and March.

40: Salah joined Roger Hunt and Ian Rush as the only players in Liverpool's history to have scored 40 times in a single season when he headed home against Bournemouth at Anfield earlier this month.

30: The goal against Bournemouth ensured the Egyptian achieved another milestone in becoming the first African player to score 30 times across one Premier League campaign.

8: As well as his fine form in England, Salah has also scored eight times in the tournament phase of this season's Champions League. Only Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, with 15 to his credit, has found the net more often in the group stages and knockout rounds of Europe's premier club competition.

Updated: March 27, 2025, 4:29 AM