Mawlid

Origins and history

The exact start of Mawlid is debated among historians. Some scholars suggest early Abbasid or Fatimid roots, while others credit the Turkic general Gökböri with establishing the first major public festival in Erbil in 1207. He was a deputy of Saladin and organized grand ceremonies at the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. Later, the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Murad III declared it an official holiday known as Mevlid Kandil in 1588.

How it is kept

Celebrants hold mahfils, which are gatherings where religious poetry praising Muhammad is recited alongside feasts. Many also engage in supererogatory fasting, prayer and dhikr. Streets and homes are often decorated, and large processions move through cities. In some regions, animal sacrifices are made for banquets, and charity is distributed to the poor. Children may narrate stories from the Prophet's life during these events.

Dates and calendars

The date falls on the twelfth day of Rabi I, the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This is the view held by most Sunni Muslims. Twelver Shia Muslims often observe it on the seventeenth of Rabi I. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the Gregorian date shifts each year. Some communities note that the precise historical date remains a matter of scholarly disagreement.

Regional practices

In Turkey, the event is called Mevlid Kandili, featuring the recitation of Süleyman Çelebi's poem. In Tunisia, people prepare Assidat Zgougou and sing hymns in Qayrawan. India hosts grand festivities in Hyderabad and displays relics at the Hazratbal Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. Indonesia celebrates with great splendour, sometimes surpassing other Islamic holidays in local importance.

How Mawlid is kept

Communities gather for mahfils where poetry is recited and feasts are shared. People decorate streets, hold processions and distribute charity. Many fast voluntarily and perform extra prayers. Religious leaders narrate stories of the Prophet's life, and families celebrate together at home or in mosques.

When and where

It occurs annually on the twelfth or seventeenth day of Rabi I. The Islamic lunar calendar causes the solar date to change every year. Most Sunnis mark the twelfth, while many Shias mark the seventeenth.

It is celebrated throughout the Muslim world. Major observances occur in Egypt, India, Indonesia, Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia. It is also noted in countries with significant Muslim populations like the UK and Canada.

What Mawlid means

The festival expresses deep love and reverence for the Prophet Muhammad. It serves as a form of gratitude for his guidance. For Sufis, it highlights the spiritual significance of his existence. Public gatherings strengthen community bonds and demonstrate collective devotion.

Mawlid dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

This date follows the moon or a local calendar and can move by a day, so check with a local source nearer the time.

Questions people ask about Mawlid

See also

DiwaliA five-day festival of lights celebrated across India and its diaspora to mark the victory of light over darkness.HoliA spring festival of colours and bonfires that marks the end of winter and the triumph of good over evil.Ogoh-ogohGiant handcrafted statues paraded and burned on the eve of the Balinese Saka New YearDivali NagarAn annual cultural exposition in Trinidad and Tobago celebrating Hindu traditions during the Diwali season.

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi 2020: Date, history and importanceThe Indian Express, Article
• BBC NEWS | In pictures: Egypt's biggest moulid, Trance danceBBC, Article
• Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi 2020: Date, history and importanceThe Indian Express, Article
• BBC NEWS | In pictures: Egypt's biggest moulid, Trance danceBBC, Article

• Mawlid on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-07.