E-Paper
Sign In
Tue, Nov 11, 2025 | Jumada al-Awwal 20, 1447 | Fajr 05:13 | DXB 
25°C
iPhone | iPad
Android
Dubai: Children line up for 'Ramadan passport stamps' after Taraweeh prayers each night
The imam at Nad Al Sheba mosque spends 15 to 20 minutes stamping their passport after long prayers
Every night during Ramadan, children at Nad Al Sheba mosque eagerly line up after Taraweeh prayers, holding small blue booklets — their Ramadan passports. Each time they complete the special night prayers, the imam stamps their passports, making them proud and excited. This unique initiative encourages young people to pray regularly, turning worship into a fun and yet meaningful journey during the holy month.
Among the many young worshippers is Sameeh El Katib, a four-year-old resident of Nad Al Sheba, who eagerly accompanies his elder brother, Omar El Khatib, to the mosque every evening.
Recommended For You
Despite his young age, Sameeh insists on standing through the long prayers, his eyes filled with joy as he approaches the imam at the end of the night for his stamp. "I love coming to the mosque. When I get my stamp, I feel like I did something very important," he said, flipping through the pages of his passport to show with pride.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Sameeh’s elder brother is delighted to see his devotion and enthusiasm for Taraweeh prayers. “Every day after iftar, he reminds me about Taraweeh. After a heavy meal, I usually feel tired and try to take a short nap for 20 minutes. But Sameeh insists I stay awake and take him to isha prayer before the adhan. He is afraid that if I fall asleep, we might be late,” said Omar.
Similarly, Abdul Aziz Al Suwaidi, a young Emirati boy, goes to pray at Nad Al Sheba mosque every night, hand-in-hand with his four brothers. For them, the initiative is not just about collecting stamps. It’s a family tradition to pray the nightly prayers in congregation.
“We race to the mosque every evening, making sure we don’t miss a single prayer,” said Abdul Aziz. “When the imam stamps our passports, it feels like we are on a journey that brings us closer to Allah.”
The initiative, introduced by Dubai's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, is part of the Ayal Al-Freej campaign, designed to strengthen community ties and instil Islamic values in the younger generation.
Mohammed Musabeh Ali Dhahi, Executive Director of the Charitable Work Sector and General Coordinator of Ramadan Initiatives in Dubai, highlighted the program’s success:, “The large turnout and interaction show the importance of such initiatives in fostering a deep-rooted connection between children and mosques. It helps them establish prayer as a daily habit, not just in Ramadan, but beyond.”
Even the mosque cleaners have noticed the overwhelming participation. According to them, nearly 100 children gather at Nad Al Sheba mosque every night, eagerly waiting for their turn to be stamped by the imam.
“It’s heartwarming to see so many young people taking their prayers seriously. Almost every child has received a stamp every single night — no one wants to miss out,” a cleaner said.
With the imam spending 15 to 20 minutes stamping passports after prayers, it’s clear that the initiative has successfully turned Taraweeh into an exciting and rewarding experience for children.
SM Ayaz Zakir
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.
Don’t just scroll. Know it all. Sign up for your daily UAE news fix.
Get the top stories of the day right in your inbox.
