A lot of nations, most especially in the Asian world, commemorated Mawlid Nabiy on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of Islamic calendar, marking the birthday (Mawlid) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
In 2017, Mawlid coincidentally fell on Friday December 1st; and Muslims across the globe used that time to celebrate the life of Prophet Muhammad.
It should be acknowledged that there are some discrepancies among different Sunni, Shi’a and Muslim scholars as to the exact date of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday with Sunni’s using 12th day of month and Shi’a using the 17th day.
First time in the history of Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Salman bin Muhammad declared it a public holiday.
Pakistani and Kashmiri government gave the tribute to day by saluting the day with 21 cannons, the day started with the recitation of Holy Quran. Many Muslims throughout the country fast during the daylight hours and said special prayers or ate a communal meal to celebrate Mawlid.
In India, Eid Milad ul-Nabi celebrations were held in Mosques or other large gathering places as the communities gather to attend events to celebrate Mawlid together. The celebrations generally consist of lectures, speeches, poems and spiritual songs on the life of Muhammad and the Islamic lifestyle.
In Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, people organized street parades for Mawlid as it celebrated in a carnival manner, and some of the celebrations might held outdoors.
It is in fact, in some of Asian countries, believed that the celebrations of Mawlid lasts the whole month of Rabi’ al-awwal.
Reporter: Syeda Faiza Bukhari
