Egypt is only option for Mawlid al-Nabawi

CAIRO – 22 November 2017: The “Mawlid al-Nabawi” (birthday celebration of Prophet Muhammad), which Muslims await each year for the special spiritual atmosphere in accordance with their traditions, is one holy night unlike any other night.

In Egypt, you don’t need to follow the calendar to know when the Mawlid al-Nabawi will be. A week before the celebration, pastry shops display the traditional sweets known as “Halawat al-Mawlid”, with queues of Egyptian families buying boxes of the sweets and shops decorated with the Mawlid doll and accessories.


Mawlid Al Nabawi sweets and dolls in Egypt streets.20 November 2017 – Five photos .com

On Rabi’ al-Awwal 12 – the third month in the Islamic lunar calendar, corresponding this year to Friday, December 1 – Egypt’s streets, especially the local ones like Bein El-Harat Street in Ramsis Square, are full of small, blue silk-clothed tents lit by neon lamps. Many Sufi Muslims gather in the tents to chant and sing Prophet Muhammad’s life story. The streets are also crowded with an influx of traders selling Mawlid sweets. The sweets are so tasty and flavored with sugary, sweetened hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, sesame and peanuts.

A mysterious spirit fills the air, with Sufis and sheikhs dressed in colorful clothing and energetically parading through the streets performing “dhikr” (remembrance of God) while swaying back and forth to the rhythmic beating of a drum.


Egyptians Celebrate the birth of prophet-Five Photos .com

To celebrate the Prophet’s birthday, many Egyptian Muslims gather in mosques to recite the Qur’an and listen to stories and poetry praising Prophet Muhammad and his values, accomplishments and teachings. Meanwhile, others are spread throughout the streets to distribute food to the poor, following the example of the Prophet.

Many families commemorate the event by sitting at home together, sharing a meal and eating Mawlid sweets for desert while watching religious movies and programs on TV.


Three types of Mawlid Al Nabawi sweets – Five Photos.com

The Mawlid al-Nabawi is currently an official holiday in almost 50 Muslim countries, especially those with large Sufi populations, as they are the biggest devotees of this day.

Sunni Muslims observe this day on Rabi’ al–Awwal 12, while Shiites celebrate it on the 17th of the same month.


Three dancers from Tanora show on the occasion of Al Mawlid Al Nabawi. 19 November 2016- Mark Fischer / Flicker

The birthday of the Prophet is celebrated across the world. In some Muslim countries, including Egypt, it is a public holiday. In more conservative countries like Saudi Arabia, the celebration is forbidden.

For the Mawlid al-Nabawi, the festivities last from dawn to sunset, welcoming colorful lights and the joyful atmosphere set by the religious, spiritual mood.