Karachi:

AETEKAF refers to a spiritual retreat or a ritual seclusion in a mosque in the last 10 days of the Holy Month Ramazan when they faithfully dedicate themselves to worshiping and staying away from worldly affairs.

Like each Ramazan, hundreds of thousands of Karachiites will begin the compliance with Aetekaf today, Friday, after the ASR beans. This religious retreat is carried out for the purpose of seeking spiritual purification and proximity to Allah. The AETEKAF period ends with the sight of Shawwal Moon marking the end of Ramazan.

A number of mosques have made special events to accommodate the Mutakafe (those who observe the AETEKAF). Prominent among these mosques is the new Memon Mosque, the Faran Mosque, the Jamia Mosque, the Jinnah Mosque, the Gulzar-E-Habib mosque, the Faizan Madina Mosque, the Thanvi Mosque and the Jamia Mosque on Amjadiya Alamgir Road, among others.

Facilities for AETEKAF are also delivered in Expo Center, Khaliq Dina Hall, Rehmaniya Mosque on Tariq Road, Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Guldhan-E-Iqbal, Jamia Masjid, Banuri Town and many more in the whole of the city. In some places, women have also been given the opportunity to observe AETEKAF at home.

The registration process for the mutikafe was completed early in Ramazan in most mosques. In many of these mosques, provisions have also been arranged for Sehar and iftar for those who observe the aetecaf.

Throughout the AETEKAF period, the mutikafe will participate in worship activities, including Shabina (Night Prayer), Taraweeh, Nawafil and Special Prayer. Emphasis will be placed on seeking blessings from Shab-e-Qadr, especially on the odd nights. The mutikafe will offer prayers about the nation’s prosperity and stability.