Prophet Muhammad’s birthday to be celebrated Dec. 1

CAIRO – 19 November 2017: Dar al-Iftaa has announced that the Islamic month of Rabi’ al-Awwal will start on Monday, November 20, adding that the Mawlid al-Nabawi (the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birth) will take place on Friday, December 1.

Having not seen the waxing crescent moon on Saturday, Dar al-Iftaa established that 30 days of the Islamic month of Safar would be completed and that the first day of the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal would be on Monday, November 20.

It added that the Mawlid al-Nabawi holiday would take place on Friday, December 1 – corresponding to Rabi’ al-Awwal 12, which is widely believed to be the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad and designated as an official holiday in Egypt.

The Mawlid al-Nabawi is a joyous occasion for Muslims, especially Sufis, who gather at Egypt’s famous mosques to make “dhikr” (remembrance of God) and to praise Prophet Muhammad, celebrating the birth and life of the “Best of Creation”, as he is known.

Egypt’s streets become festive with lights and music, while children enjoy the sweets and toys sold by various vendors. There will also be special events held around this time.

Religious Song Ensemble, conducted by Omar Farahat, will hold a concert in Cairo Opera House on Thursday, November 23 at 8 p.m. to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad. The band will perform religious songs and hymns, in addition to some Sufi poems.