Lailat-ul-Qadr [The Night of Decree], considered "better than a thousand months" in the Islamic faith, was observed with crowded attendance in mosques across Istanbul.
Citizens in the city filled mosques, including Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Sultanahmet Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Fatih Mosque, Büyük Çamlıca Mosque, and Taksim Mosque, to observe the Night of Decree.
Those who performed the evening prayers in congregation also waited in mosques and their surroundings for the night prayers.
Many citizens broke their fasts on the grass in Sultanahmet Square, while long queues formed at nearby restaurants for iftar.
After iftar, it was observed that many citizens came to mosques with their families. Following the evening prayers, the Tarawih prayers were performed.
A program was organized for the Lailat-ul-Qadr at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.
The program, which included recitation of hymns and prayers, was attended by Istanbul Mufti Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş.
Due to the dense crowd, when there was no more room inside Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and Sultanahmet Mosque, citizens filled Sultanahmet Square.
Listening to the recitation of the Quran, citizens engaged in prayers.
Furthermore, a banner with the message "May our Lailat-ul-Qadr be blessed" was hung at Büyük Çamlıca Mosque in honor of the Night of Decree.
