Kuwait - Night to Remember - Grand Mosque on 27th Night of Ramadan
This particular shoot was something to be remembered for long time. We got to the National Bank of Kuwait after midnight to capture Night Ramadan prayers (which last till 3-4AM) from the top of the roof. It was an incredible sight of thousands of people praying not only inside of the mosque, but there where other thousands of people praying on streets around the Grand mosque.
As I was admiring the sight while listening to the prayers, I was still wondering how is it possible to stand on the roof of National bank HQ in the middle of the night with so much happening around me (something that would never be allowed in Europe). Even it is my 3rd year in the Middle East, I could have never imagined such a scene before. On top of that incredible experience, I found out only the next day that the "coincidence" brought me there on the 27th night of Ramadan is is also called the Night of Power -
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims fast. Ramadan is a time when Muslims should concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is a time of worship and contemplation. During Ramadan, it is common for Muslims to go to the Masjid (Mosque) and spend several hours praying and studying the Quran. In addition to the five daily prayers, during Ramadan Muslims recite a special prayer called the Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). The length of this prayer is usually 2-3 times as long as the daily prayers. Some Muslims spend the entire night in prayer.
On the evening of the 27th of the month, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). It is believed that on this night Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran. And according to the Quran, this is when God determines the course of the world for the following year. It is often believed that it is a special night when God gives heed to their requests and they are often open to dreams and visions at this time seeking guidance and revelation. Many Muslims will pray all night seeking a response to specific requests.
This shot is not typical blue hour or sunset capture, but it is one of those shots I wanted to capture for long time. I still however hope that I'll get the chance for the blue hour or sunset in near future (since I know how to contact !!)
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II; Lens’s focal length: 17.00 - 40.00 mm; Photo Focal length: 21.00 mm; Aperture: 16; Exposure time: 32.0 s; ISO: 100
All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova
All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Comments and faves
L.A.Cavaca, ALFONSO SÁNCHEZ, Lis Marie Photography, aphotor, and 63 other people added this photo to their favorites.
© Lucie Debelkova / www.luciedebelkova.com (33 months ago | reply)
Maciej Dakowicz (33 months ago | reply)
very nice
Mohamed Majki (33 months ago | reply)
Beautiful Night Shot
© David J Peacock - www.davidjpeacock.ca [deleted] (33 months ago | reply)
Superb capture Lucie - night photography is addictive. Thank you for sharing the story and background, too. :-)
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cm786 (33 months ago | reply)
Ditto @ David. Awesome shot:)
A.al-Muzaini (33 months ago | reply)
amazing angle
Hussain Shah. (33 months ago | reply)
Beautiful exposure!
well done!
bitterbutter2000 (33 months ago | reply)
Hi Lucie, well written and amazing night image!
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aaluva (33 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
patximadina (33 months ago | reply)
Amazing shot!
umar36 (33 months ago | reply)
Fascinating capture,...and what a totally appropriate shot for tonight, as it is 27th Ramazan in my part of the world tonight.
Thanks for sharing!!
ibrahem N. ALNassar (33 months ago | reply)
nice capture
ғ.α ♥ ғα6αмι ~ ρнσтσgяαρнч (33 months ago | reply)
amazing shot ..,
and nice words ^^
will seems u know alot about laylat al qadr and ramadan ^^
wich is really wonderful ..
^^ wish u all the best sis ..
peac be open to you ..
ғ.α ♥ ғα6αмι ~ ρнσтσgяαρнч (33 months ago | reply)
Fav~!
David Guidi (33 months ago | reply)
very good!
© Saleh AlRashaid / www.Salehphotography.net (33 months ago | reply)
This is really nicely exp.... Balanced
nicely taken
Barbara Jones / photosecosse.com (33 months ago | reply)
WOW, such superb photography, amazing work !
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Humayunn N A Peerzaada (33 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called MASJIDS مسجد & DARGAHS درگه around the World., and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Masha Allah ... thnks for sharing the pic Lucie
Sadeq Nader Abul (33 months ago | reply)
Amazing shot Lucie!,, great exposure also!
btw,, u were right next to me (right) the whole time! =)
Emre Ucar (33 months ago | reply)
superb!!
M.alkanderi (33 months ago | reply)
really i like it so beautifull
memories of time (33 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Scott Smith (SRisonS) (33 months ago | reply)
Amazing overview!!!!
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
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Sarah Al-Sayegh Photography (33 months ago | reply)
amazing light! :)
am†ƒo†o (33 months ago | reply)
nice capture.
yes the experience of witnessing is nice, but what the worshippers experience is more aesthetic to the heart. really something else
Jason Hyung-gu Kang (www.jasonkangphoto.com) (33 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Sudheer S (33 months ago | reply)
Brilliant work!!!
<\| AbdulAziz Photo |\> (33 months ago | reply)
very Great shot
the imam of this mosque is Alafasy !
i like his voice very mush
Armando Alvarez (33 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Shrf AlMalki.. (33 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called المساجد Mosques, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Gaurav Dinesh (33 months ago | reply)
Gosh! This is awesome!! I would call this shot 'the fruit of your toil'.
giusmelix (33 months ago | reply)
Assolutamente bella.
robert mclean photography (33 months ago | reply)
Nicely exposed and a great POV.
sara zollino (33 months ago | reply)
So much going on, many prayers, wishes, fervour, worries and happiness and faith in the air ...
Simply love it.
Great photography is also to be in the right place at the right time.
And you always are.
F H Mira (33 months ago | reply)
Excellent.
gney (33 months ago | reply)
مسجد العفاسي
beautiful
scusiq8 (33 months ago | reply)
You are my winner!
Please add this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Chee Seong (33 months ago | reply)
Nice capture!
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AYMAN-ALKANDERI (33 months ago | reply)
Great capture!
charlesR99 (33 months ago | reply)
spectacular !!
Giovanni Gori (33 months ago | reply)
A great picture, by a GREAT photographer!
"Anwaar (33 months ago | reply)
awesome picture :) and truly great words,
yet Lilat alQader ( night of power ) isn't really 27th of Ramadan!
no one really know that's why we pray the whole last 10 days of the month
but one of the nights of 21,23,25,27 and 29 will be the power night :)
I think this years the number of people was less than the last year
because of H1N1 ! although it hit 120 thousands.
Frédéric Sallée (33 months ago | reply)
Lights are magic !
hey.pictrues (33 months ago | reply)
sweetest picture
Henrique Bittencourt (33 months ago | reply)
Nice shot!!
éricito (33 months ago | reply)
Beautiful shot Lucie and thanks for sharing the story
JuttaV. (33 months ago | reply)
This photo is a Spirit Of Photography
Spirit Of Photography,Post 1 & Awards 5
La Maretoise (33 months ago | reply)
----------------
This photo is a Spirit Of Photography
Spirit Of Photography,Post 1 & Awards 5
commented with SICI (2009-09-03)
danichro [Thank you for 200,000 visits!] (33 months ago | reply)
This photo is a Spirit Of Photography
Spirit Of Photography,Post 1 & Awards 5
pietrapaola caponi (33 months ago | reply)
This photo is a Spirit Of Photography
Spirit Of Photography,Post 1 & Awards 5