In Egypt, more than 30,000 Muslims gathered to pray for what is believed to be the night of destiny, known in Arabic as Laylatu Al-Qadr. Muslims memorize on this night the first revelation of the Holy Quran and believe that Allah listens to their prayers. Cairo-based photojournalist Hamada Elrasam has more from Cairo.
Ramadan's Night of Destiny in Cairo
![Muslims gather at Amr Ibn al-As mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Cairo, for Ramadan’s night of destiny prayers in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.](https://gdb.voanews.com/099c1a0a-d267-4cab-bff0-97211e61849a_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Muslims gather at Amr Ibn al-As mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Cairo, for Ramadan’s night of destiny prayers in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.
![Muslims arrive before sunset to the mosque with food and drink to break their fast in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.](https://gdb.voanews.com/d19748e0-69e1-4131-b907-15b2392d8019_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Muslims arrive before sunset to the mosque with food and drink to break their fast in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.
![People distribute food, water and drinks to Muslims coming to attend the prayers at Amr Ibn al-As mosque, in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.](https://gdb.voanews.com/723c6125-7e71-422e-95cc-305a1f319085_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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People distribute food, water and drinks to Muslims coming to attend the prayers at Amr Ibn al-As mosque, in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.
![Fasting Muslims gather to break their fast at Amr Ibn al-As mosque in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.](https://gdb.voanews.com/6daf75b4-f280-4a5c-a7f6-eeb89edce7ee_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Fasting Muslims gather to break their fast at Amr Ibn al-As mosque in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.
![Ambulances wait to aid people who collapse from overcrowding and heat at Amr Ibn al-As mosque, in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.](https://gdb.voanews.com/35d19340-4862-4bb0-95e0-e7507ba5c189_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Ambulances wait to aid people who collapse from overcrowding and heat at Amr Ibn al-As mosque, in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.
![Muslims attend the prayers and some follow the Imam’s recitation in their Qurans in Amr Ibn al-As mosque, in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.](https://gdb.voanews.com/be65c592-cf7b-4cac-9177-cd72afa216c2_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Muslims attend the prayers and some follow the Imam’s recitation in their Qurans in Amr Ibn al-As mosque, in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.
![A young Muslim takes a break from the prayers, which lasted a few hours in Amr Ibn al-As mosque, in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.](https://gdb.voanews.com/61eb44d6-1ae3-46ee-b9c0-cf521577504b_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A young Muslim takes a break from the prayers, which lasted a few hours in Amr Ibn al-As mosque, in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.
![Muslims gathered in mosques across Egypt, especially in the first mosque built in Egypt and Africa, Amr Ibn al-As mosque, in old Cairo district, May 31, 2019. On Ramadan’s 27th night, Muslims pray in groups on what is believed to be the night of destiny.](https://gdb.voanews.com/ff4c3359-ac7f-4652-837b-65cb58c05bd9_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Muslims gathered in mosques across Egypt, especially in the first mosque built in Egypt and Africa, Amr Ibn al-As mosque, in old Cairo district, May 31, 2019. On Ramadan’s 27th night, Muslims pray in groups on what is believed to be the night of destiny.
![Muslim men and women stand in lines that stretch into the surrounding streets as the 13,200 square meter mosque filled completely, in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.](https://gdb.voanews.com/f0e9f79f-ba96-42ae-9e55-1295ad7c9002_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Muslim men and women stand in lines that stretch into the surrounding streets as the 13,200 square meter mosque filled completely, in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.
![After the end of the rituals, Muslims pose for a selfie in Amr Ibn al-As mosque, in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.](https://gdb.voanews.com/332726f3-91bc-400f-9c33-d89afc7de7f3_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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After the end of the rituals, Muslims pose for a selfie in Amr Ibn al-As mosque, in old Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2019.