Faithfuls of twin cities head to mosques for Aitekaf

Secluded from the outside world, the faithful will devote themselves to prayer

ISLAMABAD: A large number of Muslims from the twin cities have formally started the Aitekaf for the next 10 days as the holy month of Ramazan enters its last Ashra (10 days).

After sunset on Ramazan 20, devotees will formally enter mosques and remain in a state of ‘seclusion’ at designated places till the sighting of the Eid moon.

All major mosques of Islamabad including Faisal Mosque, have completed the registration process of those who intend to perform Aitekaf.

For security purposes, the names and data of every man coming to a mosque for Aetikaf is registered and shared with police and security agencies.

This year, approximately 750 faithful from twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad will be observing Aetekaf at Faisal Mosque, said an official of the mosque. Over 600 will observe Aitekaf in Masjid-e-Quba. Similarly, the largest gathering for Aitekaf in Rawalpindi will be at Liaquat Bagh Masjid and Jamia Masjid and people will also stay in almost all the other mosques of the city.

Arrangements have been made for the Motakafeen (Aitekaf observers) to impart education about religious issues related to Aitekaf.



Special measures have been adopted to ensure security at all mosques in the metropolis.

Secluded from the outside world, these people will focus on reciting the Holy Quran, offering special prayers and seeking blessings of Allah.

Keeping with the spirit of Ramazan many philanthropists and citizens send food items for Sehri and Iftari to the mosques for the poor and needy.

Speaking to the media, Allama Abdul Razzaq said Aitekaf is a Sunnah and at least one person should observe it from the whole neighbourhood. In this way, the requirement of Sunnah is fulfilled for the whole locality. However, if no person performs Aitekaf, the whole locality will be responsible, he added.

People of every neighbourhood should make sure that some person is performing Aitekaf in their mosque, he said. One can either offer Aitekaf in a mosque or at a home but one has to stay at the place during these specific days, he added.

He said Aitekaf is a spiritual practice observed in the last ten days of Ramazan during which the believers detach themselves from worldly affairs other people and focus solely on worship.

Meanwhile Capital Development Authority (CDA) has finalised arrangements of cleanliness in the city. According to the CDA official the teams of the Sanitation Directorate are also cleaning graveyards of the federal capital due to upcoming Eidul Fitr.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2017.