“The distinctive features of the month, which passes like a fleeting moment, make a believer wish that the whole year was like Ramadan,” Sheikh Al-Shuraim told worshippers while delivering his sermon on the last Friday of this year’s Ramadan.

The sheikh said Ramadan was different because it was the month of the Holy Qur’an, the source of a believer’s spiritual and material power. The sheikh also exhorted believers to be God-fearing and keep away from disobedience and evil deeds.

The sheikh concluded his sermon after reminding worshippers about the need to distribute the obligatory special charity of Eid before going out for prayer on the day itself.

In the midst of tight security arrangements nearly 2 million worshippers attended the congregational prayers of the last Friday of Ramadan. As all the space inside the mosque, mataf (area of circumambulation around the Kaaba) and the courtyards were packed beyond capacity, many thousands had to pray under the sweltering August sun on the asphalted roads.

No vehicles were allowed to enter the central zone close to the mosque. Pilgrims and worshippers started arriving since early morning in order to ensure a seat inside the mosque.

In Madinah, more than 500,000 worshippers prayed at the Prophet’s Mosque on Friday. The courtyards and nearby roads were also carpeted to enable people to pray as it was filled to the brim inside.

In his congregational speech, Sheikh Ali Al-Hudhaifi, imam and khatib at the Prophet’s Mosque, congratulated believers for almost completing the month of fasting successfully.

Sheikh Al-Hudhaifi stressed the additional merit of the last 10 days of Ramadan especially for those who sought the love and mercy of Almighty Allah. He also warned people not to be tricked by the temptations of Satan and be dragged to disobedience and sins.

Pilgrims were generally happy about the peaceful atmosphere in the Prophet’s Mosque. Pakistani pilgrim Ahmad Imran said he was immensely happy because he could realize his dream of praying inside the Prophet’s Mosque on the special day of the 27th of Ramadan, that too in an extremely spiritual atmosphere.

In view of the increased number of visitors and pilgrims, the health centers in Madinah are working from 10 a.m. to midnight with a brief interval in the afternoon and with additional staff in the night shift.

Director General of Civil Defense Lt. Gen. Saad Al-Tuwaijri said in a statement that Civil Defense forces were placed on a high state of alert to deal with the huge crowds on the night of the 27th of Ramadan.