Watch: UAE streets turn into 'open-air mosques' well past midnight, overflow with worshippers for Laylat Al Qadr

Abu Dhabi resident Sabeel Abdul Kareem lives just 15 minutes away from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. But on Wednesday night, he spent more than an hour in traffic to get to the mosque for the midnight Qiyam prayers. He then parked two kilometers away from the mosque and set off by foot to reach in time for the prayers.

Similarly, mosques and prayer halls across the UAE overflowed with worshippers on the eve of the 27th of Ramadan. Laylat Al Qadr (night of power) is one of the holiest nights in Islam, with Muslims believing it was when the holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Although the exact date remains unknown, Muslims are told to seek the night's blessings on one of the odd nights of the last 10 days of the holy month.

In this incredible time-lapse taken on Wednesday night, row upon row of worshippers are seen standing at the gleaming white marbles of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with the prayer halls filled to the brim. Some had to stay outside the iconic site:

Videos posted by the Sharjah Police on social media show hundreds of worshippers flocking to mosques across the city as police officials worked round the clock to ensure their safety and convenience.

Rows of worshippers spilled over into the streets and sidewalks all around the emirate as volunteers set up barricades and laid out sheets to accommodate them. Volunteers helped the old and handicapped who had arrived to pray in congregation on the holy night. Officers were out on the street throughout the night to control the heavy traffic.

Sabeel, who has been to the Sheikh Zayed mosque several times this Ramadan, said the place was packed. “There were security guards everywhere,” he said. “They would close off the entrance and adjust the rows before allowing more people in. I reached around 12am after leaving home before 10.30pm and I was lucky enough to get space inside.”

However, Sabeel said there were long queues outside the washroom and the ablution area. “I contemplated going to the washroom but abandoned the idea upon seeing the rush,” he said. “I have come here for all the other odd nights and never faced such a rush. The 27th night rush was just unprecedented.”

Here's how the scene looked at a mosque in Ajman:

This is the first time in four years that the special midnight prayers are taking place without any restrictions or distancing. After Ramadan 20, residents have been flocking to mosques past midnight for special prayers. However, it peaked on Monday, on the eve of Ramadan 27.

Here are some snaps taken from at a mosque in Deira, Dubai: