Indian official newspaper releases detailed report on Holy Prophet’s Mawlid celebrations

The Indian official newspaper “Hindustan Times” published a detailed report discussing the celebrations of the Prophet Muhammad’s, peace be upon him and his family, birthday and the differing ways in which some Muslims around the world commemorate it.

In the report, seen by Shia Waves Agency, the author stated that “Mawlid al-Nabi is a religious occasion celebrated by Muslims of various schools of thought during the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal, marking the Prophet’s birth,” adding that “Muslims in India sighted the crescent moon of Rabi’ al-Awwal 1446 AH on September 4 of this year according to the Gregorian calendar, making the date of celebration fall on the 16th of this month.”

The investigative journalist, Zarafshan Shiraz, noted that “the first to initiate the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday were the Shia Fatimid dynasty, which later transformed it into a joyous annual festival across Egypt. This celebration peaked at the popular level during the 11th century, spreading to Syria, Morocco, Turkey, and Spain, where some Sunni sects began to observe this blessed occasion.”

Shiraz pointed out that “these ceremonies were characterized from their inception in Egypt by congregational prayers, recitations from the Holy Quran, followed by public speeches delivered by members of the ruling family, culminating in a grand feast for attendees,” explaining that “later, under Sufi influence, these celebrations included animal sacrifices and processions illuminated by torches at night.”

The Indian journalist concluded her report by highlighting that “despite Mawlid and its associated traditions being widely practiced in her country and many Islamic and non-Islamic countries around the world, strict Salafi and Wahhabi sects do not respect these traditions, considering them ‘innovation’ or actions contrary to celebrating traditional holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, according to their claims.”