Muslims mark ‘Laylat al-Qadr’ and Imam Ali’s martyrdom anniversary

‘Night of Destiny’ or ‘Laylat al-Qadr’ and the martyrdom anniversary of Ima Ali

Thousands of Muslims from inside Iraq and abroad have marked ‘Night of Destiny’ or ‘Laylat al-Qadr’ and the martyrdom anniversary of Ima Ali, peace be upon him, inside the holy shrines in the holy cities of Karbala, Najaf and Kadhimiya.

 ‘Laylat al-Qadr’ in Ramadan is the night when first verses of Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his progeny.

Muslims recite the holy book of Qur’an more, hold vigils until dawn in prayers and supplications and ask God to forgive their sins. Muslims on this night have also special wishes and prayers.

Laylat al-Qadr has double significance for Shia Muslims as the night of the 21st of Ramadan marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of the first Shia Imam, Ali Ibn-Abi Taleb, peace be upon him.

Shia Muslims mourned the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Ali from the 19th of Ramadan, marking the day he was wounded and the day of his martyrdom, two days later.