Thousands of Muslims nationwide thronged mosques for the first tarawih prayers of Ramadan, marking a spirited start to the holy month with large congregations.

KUALA LUMPUR: The first night of Ramadan saw a strong turnout across the country as thousands of Muslims performed tarawih prayers at mosques and suraus.

A Bernama survey found the main hall of the National Mosque here filled with local and foreign worshippers well before the Isyak prayer.

In Selangor, congregants braved the rain to gather at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Shah Alam from as early as 8pm.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, in a Facebook post, hoped the month would strengthen faith and purify intentions.

“I pray that all our acts of worship are made easy,” he said.

In Kelantan, many who returned home for the holidays performed tarawih with their families.

Civil servant Muhammad Nur Yazdani Rosli, 28, said he took leave to fast and pray with his family in Kuala Krai.

“I also get to meet old friends and strengthen ties with fellow congregants,” he told Bernama.

In Johor, about 1,500 Muslims performed tarawih at the Sultan Ismail Mosque in Batu Pahat.

The prayers there were led by Imam Marzaki A Rasak.

In Kedah, about 300 congregants attended Masjid Zahid in Alor Setar, with some reading the Quran beforehand.

The prayers were led by a visually impaired guest imam from Algeria, Ustaz Nizar Hafiz Al Jazaren.

In Sabah, more than 2,000 congregants performed tarawih at Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu led by Chief Imam Ustaz Mohd Zamzuhardi Zaakariw Al-Hafiz.

The nationwide turnout reflected the unity and spirit of togetherness in enlivening Ramadan.

 The Sun Malaysia