During the month of Ramadaan, hufaath around the world take the lead in Taraweeh prayers uplifting musallees with their recitation of the Quran. For those who have done this for many years, it becomes second nature. However, for the many debutants who are leading the mass prayer for the first time, it’s a gruelling experience.

Mogammad Zaid Holt, a 21-year-old student at Dar Ubaiy Centre in Rylands says that every night he feels slightly nervous. When asked about his experience on performing his first taraweeh, Holt said that it was difficult to put into words.

“This is something you have to feel for yourself. I did not make any mistake but you do feel the nerves. All you think is you want to be focused on your recitation,” he says.

Holt has been studying hifz since he was 6-years-old. He qualified as a hufaath two weeks ago. Prior to his performance at the Thornton Islamic Aociety, he lead fajr salah at another masjid in preparation for his lead in taraweeh.

Yazid Khan, a 24-year-old student at the institute, says the experience is daunting.

“I was very nervous on my first day. I sweated a lot but alhamdulilah it went well.”

Khan said that what got him to feel better is the revision before he could lead the prayer.

Abdullah Sonday who has been doing taraweeh for 9 years said he will never forget his first night.

“I was 11 at the time when I performed my first taraweeh and I wasn’t nervous, because at the time you wanted to show that yes you could do this,” said Sonday.

Mualim Yusuf who over sees the boys at Dar Ubaiy said they ensure the boys are fully prepared before they go out to any masjid.

“Before the boys go out to different masjids, we give them a trial run here. We do this so that they can gain confidence and rectify errors and what to do if errors do come along,” he explained.

He adds that it is important to equip the boys because it is not easy to deal with crowds. “Sometimes you get people who shout from the back when you make a mistake, so we do the trial run to prepare them for situations like that.”

VOC (Najma-Bibi Noor Mahamed)