Berat Kandil 2011 – Muslims across Globe to celebrate Berat Kandili
The five holy evenings on the Muslim calendar are called Kandil. During the Ottoman Empire Sultan Selim II of 16th century lit candles on the minarets of the mosques in order to announce these holy nights to the public. Since this calendar is calculated with the revolution of the moon around the earth the dates of the Kandils differ every year.
Berat Kandili The forgiveness of the sins (July 15/16, 2011)
Muslims throughout Turkey will celebrate Berat Kandili, considered to be a night when Muslims are graced with divine mercy and blessings.
The Night of Forgiveness (Berat Kandili/Leylet-ul-Bera’at), observed on the night between the 14th and 15th days of Sha’ban — the eighth month of the Hijra calendar — will be commemorated with prayers tonight by Muslims around the world.
Berat Kandili is spent reciting the Quran and performing special prayers as well as visiting the graves of deceased relatives.
Issuing a message in connection with Berat Kandili, Midwest Jerrahi Order Shaikh Ilhan Al-Jerrahi said Berat Kandili is a door of opportunity opened by God for people who have become down and depressed, to seek the forgiveness of God for past bad deeds and to get rid of the dirt left on their hearts by those sins.
He said Prophet Muhammad had stated that God will forgive all who seek to be forgiven on this night. “This night, which heralds the approach of the holy month of Ramadan, reminds people that they should avoid wrongdoing, be purified from their sins and appeal to the endless mercy of the great creator. These holy nights also remind us all of our responsibilities to God, to ourselves and to humanity,” he said.
Many Muslims will fast today and visit mosques tonight for communal celebrations. Various TV channels, will broadcast live programs this evening to mark the holy night, featuring the recitation of mevlids — poems celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
