Lailat al Miraj

19 July 2009:  Lailat al Miraj is a Muslim holiday also known as Lailat al Isra and Miraj (Arabic: Night of the Journey and Ascension).  On the Muslim calendar the date is the 27th day of Rajab.  The holiday celebrates the following event: Muhammad was carried to heaven where he discussed with God the number of daily prayers required of observant Muslims.  God wanted fifty but Muhammad was able to convince him to accept five properly performed prayers which, in the eyes of God, would count as fifty.