Weeklong Mawlid in Tanta comes to an end

CAIRO – 14 October 2017: About three million visitors, many from Upper Egypt, came to Tanta in Gharbia governate over the past week just to visit the mosque and mausoleum of the famous Sufi sheikh “El-Sayed Ahmed El-Badawi” during his “Mawlid”, or celebration of his birth.

Egyptians praying in Mosque of El-Sayed El-Badawi – Egypt Today website
From inside his mosque, hundreds of Sufis gathered to celebrate his birth by reciting prayers and invoking the 99 names of God, with some of them trying to touch his tomb, praying that God answers their prayers through the blessings bestowed upon the Sufi saint.

Egyptian celebrating birth of El-Sayed El-Badawi – Egypt Today website
Many Muslims consider this visit as a religious ritual, while others partake merely for the festivities, which included Sufi concerts, magic shows, and fire twirlers.
This event also has trade value, as many vendors stand around the mosque selling Islamic books, prayer beads, musk and perfumes, toys, and sweets.

El-Sayed El-Badawi Mosque – Egypt Today website