Many Muslims in India observe Milad-un-Nabi, which
commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's (or Mohammad's) birthday. Milad un-Nabi is
a gazetted holiday in India and is also known as Nabi Day, Mawlid, Mohammad's
Birthday or the Prophet's Birthday.
This vintage engraving depicts a view of the ancient, holy
city of Al Madinah in Saudi Arabia, and burial place of the Islamic prophet
Muhammad (also spelled Medina).
This image depicts a view of Al Madinah (Medina) in Saudi
Arabia, which is where the Prophet Muhammad lived in during his final years and
was buried.
What Do People Do?
Those who observe Milad-un-Nabi gatherings remember, discuss
and celebrate the advent of the Prophet Muhammad's birth and his teachings.
Some people send Milad-un-Nabi e-cards to friends and family. Many Sunni
Muslims celebrate this event on the 12th of the Islamic month of Rabi'
al-awwal, while the Shi'a community celebrates it on the 17th of Rabi'
al-awwal.
Many activities include:
Night-long prayer meetings.
Marches and parades involving large crowds.
Sandal rites over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet
Muhammad.
Festive banners and bunting on and in homes, mosques and
other buildings.
Communal meals in mosques and other community buildings.
Meetings to listen to stories and poems (nats) about
Mohammad's life, deeds and teachings.
Exhibitions featuring photos of mosques in the holy cities
of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
Many people carry green flags or banners or wear green
ribbons or items of clothing when taking part in these events. The color green
represents Islam and paradise. Many Kashmiri Muslims gather at the Hazratbal
shrine in Srinagar, which is in the Indian province of Jammu and Kashmir. It
houses a hair that is believed to have come from the Prophet Mohammad.
Thousands of people attend prayers at the shrine on the night before Milad
un-Nabi. The relic is displayed in the mosque after the morning prayers. It was
paraded through the town in previous years.
Public Life
Milad un-Nabi is a gazetted holiday in India so government
offices, post offices and banks are closed on the day. Islamic stores,
businesses and other organizations may be closed or have reduced opening hours.
Those wishing to use public transport on the day may need to contact the local
transport authorities to check on timetables.
Large prayer meetings, parades and marches may cause local
disruption to traffic. This is particularly true of areas of India with a
predominantly Muslim population.
Background
Muhammed was born in Mecca, now in Saudi Arabia, in the year 570 of the Gregorian calendar. The precise date of his birth is unclear. However, Sunni Muslims observe Muhammed's birthday on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi' al-awwal, while Shi'a Muslims mark it on the 17th day of this month. The 17th day of Rabi' al-awwal commemorates the birth of the sixth Shi'a iman, Ja'far al-Sadiq.
Muhammed was born in Mecca, now in Saudi Arabia, in the year 570 of the Gregorian calendar. The precise date of his birth is unclear. However, Sunni Muslims observe Muhammed's birthday on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi' al-awwal, while Shi'a Muslims mark it on the 17th day of this month. The 17th day of Rabi' al-awwal commemorates the birth of the sixth Shi'a iman, Ja'far al-Sadiq.
The term Mawlid is used in Egypt and Sudan to refer to the birthdays
of both Muhammed and local Sufi saints. The birthdays of about 3000 Sufi saints
are marked or celebrated. Some of these birthdays are large celebrations that
attract visitors from various countries. One of the most notable of these is
the celebration of Ahmed el-Bedawi's birthday. Ahmed el-Bedawi lived about 700
years ago and is believed to be buried under the Mosque of Sheikh el-Said Ahmed
el-Bedawi. The site attracts millions of visitors, including those who sleep in
the mosque and in tents on the streets surrounding it.
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