Celebrating the prophet’s birthday in Hadramout [Archives:2006/939/Reportage]
Hassan Ba-Udan
and Saeed Al-Batati
With the advent of Rabi' Al-Awwal on the Islamic calendar, Muslims all over Yemen are keen to attend this month's celebration of the Prophet Mohammed's (pbuh) birthday, as it reminds them of the greatest personality in history. Therefore, many religious rituals are performed to express delight on this occasion.
However, these religious ceremonies are not all alike in Yemen. The 12th of Rabi' Al-Awwal can be recognized easily in Hadramout, with voices of anasheed (Islamic songs) blaring from mosques and incense perfuming the air.
Al-Mawlid (the prophet's birthday celebration) is said to have initiated in Tarim, a prominent Hadramout city whose mosques are mostly under Sufi control. Citizens there joyously share with one another using a variety of approaches, the most common of which is reciting the Mawlid story in mosques and homes.
Throughout the month at mosques, preachers remind citizens of Mohammed's biography, particularly his birthday. On the first Friday sermon of the month, speakers talk about his death, exhorting citizens to remember it during the month.
Celebrations reach their pinnacle on the 12th of Rabi' Al-Awwal, which is Mohammed's birthday. The night before, a large gathering is held in Baalawi mosque, considered Tarim's most sacred mosque. Some rise before dawn in the same hour Mohammed was born to read Al-Mawlid. This is done in Dar-Al- Mustafa and some homes.
After the dawn prayer, another large Mawlid takes place in Al-Mihdar mosque, famous for the longest minaret built by Sheik Omer Al-Mihdar. Other large gatherings to read Al-Mawlid are arranged in Rubat Tarim, an Arab and Islamic science institution, and in Al-Sagaf mosque.
Tarim becomes a destination on the eve of the birthday, as citizens from outside Tarim, like Sayoun and Taribah cities, flock to attend Al-Mawlid.
The prophet's birthday is a time of rest from work in Al-Ahgaff University and Sufi-oriented institutes, as well as many individuals like construction workers and carpenters. Children are dressed up, girls' hands are dyed with henna and folk dances like “Al-Shabwani”and “Al-Razeeh” are held in the streets.
Local authorities in Sayoun have arranged activities in which scholars talk about the event. “We Muslims must confirm to the whole world – particularly those who tried to distort our prophet's personality – that our messenger is alive in our hearts,” one scholar said, “Such commemorative activities are not enough. The real celebration is for Muslims to follow the prophet's example and adhere to all of his teachings.”
In fact, Hadramout locals have different ways to celebrate Mohammed's birthday. Carpenter Madi Blis'ad says, “On Monday, I listen to the prophet's attributes and miracles. I also listen to his birthday story in the early morning. I congratulate my relatives and friends on this happy occasion. At home, all of my family comes together and listens to the prophet's attributes.”
College student Zain Bin-Ageel notes, “I celebrate the occasion by listening to the prophet's biography and birthday story. On 12 Rabi' Al-Awwal, I wear new clothes and read Al-Mawlid with my family. Reciting the prophet's biography strengthens the love for this prophet. Many people do not understand the benefits of Al-Mawlid.”
Student Omer Karamh says, “I am very happy on our Prophet Mohammad's birthday. We celebrate this day to show our gratitude and thankfulness to this prophet who rescued us from hell. I celebrate this occasion by listening to the prophet's attributes and I want all Muslims to do the same.”
In Mukalla, another prominent Hadramout city, major celebration events take place in Omer mosque, where citizens gather to recite Al-Mawlid, after which scholars deliver speeches. Preacher Fuad Bin Sheik Abu Baker emphasized the importance of the auspicious occasion and demanded it be a national holiday. “Our prophet deserves better. This day should be an official holiday in all Islamic countries and different activities should be performed on this occasion.”
Muslims have been celebrating the prophet's birthday for centuries. Professor Ali Mohammed recalls the memories of his '30s: “A very large celebration was organized during the Kuwaiti Sultanate, attended by the sultan and his cronies. It was a national holiday. But when the Communists took power in South Yemen, they publicly banned any religious festivals.”
Salafi and Sufi Muslims are at loggerheads over Al-Mawlid celebrations. Salafis consider the celebration to be an innovation, saying that the prophet and his companions didn't practice it during his lifetime. But Sufis respond that the prophet practiced Al-Mawlid when he praised fasting on Monday, the day on which he was born.
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