When is Al-Mouled Al-Nabawy?
Al-Mouled Al-Nabawy (the Birth of Prophet Mohammed), also called Moulid El Nabi, falls on the 12th day of the third month of the Islamic calendar, Rabi’i Al-Awal.
While celebrations differ among Muslims around the world, the birth date of the Prophet is a national holiday in Egypt.
Traditions of Al-Mouled Al-Nabawy
In the weeks before the event, stores begin selling "Halawet Al-Mouled", Middle Eastern sweets usually made from different types of nuts and honey.
The most popular among the special sweets are "malban", which are similar to Turkish delight. They are made of starch, sugar, and water, and usually stuffed with walnuts and dusted with powdered sugar.
Other sweets include small squares of roasted nuts held together by sugar syrup. After the nuts are spread on trays and left to dry, they are cut into smaller sizes.
Another tradition peculiar to Egypt is the "Arouset Al-Mouled" (Al-Mouled Doll), which is a bride-shaped doll sold to children in different sizes and shapes.
These celebrations date back to the Fatimid era (10th - 12th century) when the ruling families organised large feasts for the poor and needy and handed out large amounts of Halawet Al-Mouled sweets. Some think the dolls were sold to encourage young people to get married on that day, so the streets would be filled with brides and happiness.
Another story about the origin of the dolls is that the sixth Fatimid caliph, Al-Hakim Bi Amr Allah, loved one of his wives so much that he took her on a tour of the town to celebrate Al-Mouled Al-Nabawy. When she appeared to the public in the carriage with him with her crown, people were so fascinated that one of the confectioners made the dessert shaped like a bride to portray her beauty.
Of course, this is still a religious celebration and Sufi circles take to the streets near Al-Hussein Mosque, where it is believed the grandson of the Prophet is buried, and sing religious chants.
During the Birth of the Prophet national holiday in Egypt, it is a tradition that the Egyptian president and the grand imam of Al Azhar Institute accept an invitation by the Egyptian Endowments Ministry to attend an annual religious event at the Al Azhar Institute.
