Turkey's religious head marks Lailat al Miraj

By Ali Kemal Akan

ANKARA

Head of Religious Affairs Ali Erbas on Friday issued a message on Lailat al Miraj, Prophet Muhammad's night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem from where he ascended into heaven.

In the statement, Erbas said Muslims once again observe the night of "a miraculous voyage with divine wisdom".

The Lailat al Miraj is observed in Turkey as one of the five special nights -- each of them called “kandil,” which translates as in Turkish -- when minarets of mosques are illuminated and special prayers are held.

The night is generally observed on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab, which falls on the day beginning with Friday night this year.

In Islamic belief, Prophet Muhammad, after being prepared for his meeting with Allah by angels Jibrail and Mikhail, travels on a steed called '' first to Al-Quds -- where he leads other prophets in prayer -- and second to heaven where he speaks with Allah.

In his message, Erbas said the most important of the values that the Miraj reminds Muslims is the Masjid al-Aqsa. "If the Masjid al-Aqsa is not free, then the Muslims have no freedom of soul and heart."

For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the "Temple Mount", claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Erbas said he wished the sacred night would be the occasion to end occupation and persecution by increasing the awareness of Masjid al-Aqsa.

Kandils introduced during the rule of Ottoman Sultan Selim II in the 16th century. The sultan ordered the mosques to lit candles on their minarets in order to announce these special nights to the public.