Security plan in Talafar ahead of Laylat al-Qadr

NINEWA / IraqiNews.com: A security plan will be implemented in Ninewa’s Talafar during the last 10 days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to protect houses of worship in the district. “Today, local army and police forces, and emergency and SWAT personnel in Talafar (60 km northwest of Mosul) launched a security plan to protect Sunni and Shiite mosques, where worshippers will head to pray all night long. Mourning ceremonies will be held for Imam Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, on Ramadan 21,” a security source told Iraqi News. “Thousands of security personnel will be deployed to the houses of worship,” the source noted. Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree or Night of Measures, is the anniversary of two very important dates in Islam that occurred in the month of Ramadan. It is the anniversary of the night Muslims believe the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe also that this night is when their fate in the following year is decided and hence pray for God all night long and pray for mercy and salvation. This practice is called Ehyaa (meaning “revival”). Mosul, the capital city of Ninewa province, lies 405 km north of Baghdad. SS (S)/SR 1