ISLAMABAD – The holy Shab-e-Barat, known as the night of fortune, will beobserved tonight across the country with religious fervor.

The Muslims would spend the night at mosques and homes offering prayers,reciting from the holy Quran to seek blessings of Almighty Allah.

Ulema and religious scholars in their sermons will highlight the trueteachings of Islam.

Muslims consider Shab-e-Barat as one of three most sacred nights andbelieve that on this night Allah decides the fate of all human beings forthe next year.

Devotees will visit graves of their beloved ones and pray for the peace oftheir souls. Many will distribute food and sweets among neighbors and thepoor. Many will fast tomorrow.

Shab-e-Baraat, is observed about 15 days before the start of the Holy monthof fasting Ramazan-ul-Mubarak. Shab-e-Barat, a great advantage of Muslimsis known as Laylat-ul-Bara’ah or Laylat-un-Nisfe min Sha’ban in the Arabworld.

The significant distinction of this night, according to Islamic belief, isthat it falls on the night of Shaaban 15 in which all births and deaths inuniverse are written in the ‘Loh-e-Mehfooz’ for the forthcoming year.

Faithfuls gather at mosques after Isha and offer night-long specialprayers, while different gatherings and Mahafile Naat have also beenarranged to mark the holy night. The religious scholars in their sermonshighlight the true teachings of Islam and various aspects of the life ofthe Holy Prophet (PBUH).

The houses, streets and especially mosques are decorated with colourfulpennants and buntings whereas at night these are well-Illuminated withelectric lights, candles or even oil lamps. Special security arrangementshave been made for peaceful observance of the Shab-e-Barat throughout thecountry.