Laylat al-Qadr
16 March 2026 · movable holiday — A quiet, blessed night! May light fill your home.
Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree or Power, is regarded by Muslims as the holiest night of the year. According to tradition, the first revelation of the Quran began on this night, and the 97th chapter, Al-Qadr, says it is better than a thousand months. In Turkey, it is traditionally observed on the night leading into the 27th of Ramadan, known as Kadir Gecesi. Believers spend the hours in prayer, reading the Quran and quiet reflection, seeking forgiveness and peace. Mosques are decorated with lights, and inscriptions of lights called mahya are strung between minarets. Food is often shared with those in need. The occasion follows the Islamic lunar calendar, which is about 10 to 11 days shorter than the solar year, so its date shifts through the seasons. Traditionally, each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon; in Turkey, the Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs) sets the dates in advance by astronomical calculation. Some communities also seek the night on the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, since its exact date is not known with certainty.
Flying across the sky: An ethereal, bluish-silver figure made of luminous dots and fine lines like a constellation: a softly glowing oil lamp beside a slender crescent moon, drifting slowly across the night sky
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