Türkİye

Muslims in Turkey to observe holy night of Barat

Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate also issued celebratory message marking holy night

Merve Aydogan  | 07.04.2020 - Update : 07.04.2020
Muslims in Turkey to observe holy night of Barat

ANKARA 

Muslims across Turkey will observe the holy night of Barat, also known as Lailat al-Baraa, which is regarded as the night of forgiveness and salvation, on Tuesday night.

Lailat al-Barat is the night of 15th of Sha'ban in Islamic lunar calendar, which is also known as the Mid-Sha'ban.

Ali Erbas, head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate, on Tuesday issued a message marking Lailat al-Barat.

In his message, Ali Erbas prayed for all humanity to overcome the coronavirus pandemic and said: "Let's follow all the measures announced by the authorities. Let us all continue to strive with hope, devout and determination to eliminate this nuisance."

Underlining that Barat is considered as auspicious in the Islamic tradition, Erbas urged everyone to consider this holy night an opportunity to "beg forgiveness with the determination and consciousness of not repeating the same mistakes, by repenting to all mistakes we have done knowingly or unknowingly, and the sins we have committed, with sincere regret."

He also called on everyone to join for a common prayer, which is to be broadcast on TRT 1 and Diyanet TV channels on Tuesday night after Isha'a, or night prayer, for all those sacrificing their lives in the struggle against the coronavirus pandemic.

The Night of Barat is also known as a time that brings the glad tidings of the approaching advent of Ramadan, the blessed month of fasting during which Muslims abstain from food and drink and marital relations from predawn to sunset.

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