Alive in Baghdad - Mawlid

Despite War, Mawlid Still Celebrated in Iraq

In 2007, Mawlid was celebrated by Sunni Muslims on March 31st. It was celebrated by Shi'as on April 5th. In the Gregorian calendar, the standard calendar of Western countries, the date moves each year, because the Islamic calendar is lunar, while the Gregorian is solar. In Arabic, Mawlid means "birthday" and Mawlid An-Nabi is one of the formal names given to the specific day to celebrate Muhammad, or in Shi'a Islam, the family of Ali in particular.

Mawlid is the day when Sunnis and Shi'as mark the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. In fact, the 12th of Rabi'ul'Awwal, or 17th for Shi'as, is traditionally believed to be the date of Muhammad's death. It was arbitrarily fixed as the date to celebrate his birth, in 1207, when Muzaffar ad-Din Gökburi, brother-in-law of the famous Saladin.

This year Isam Rasheed documented some of the celebrations in Adhamiya (a suburb in north-eastern Baghdad), where the Abu Hanifa Mosque is located. Because of the location of the Abu Hanifa Mosque, or Imam Adham Abu Hanifa Mosque, Sunnis from all over Baghdad, and even many provinces in Iraq used to travel to Adhamiya for the celebrations.

This year, due to insecurity and on-going sectarian violence, it has become difficult for even Sunnis in Baghdad to make it to Adhamiya. Despite all of these difficulties Iraqis such as Qusay Al-Adhamiy and Waleed Tarek would not let the celebrations occur without the proper festivities. They each helped pay for the festivities in their area of Adhamiya by donating time and money.

http://aliveinbaghdad.org/

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[mirkhwand]

Blessings upon Sayyidinda Rasul-e-Akram (Sallallahu alaihi wa alihi wa sallam), his Ahlul-Bayt, and Imam-e-A'zam Abu Hanifah.

[suryadi2]

Allahu Akbar, For the Love of Allah and His Rasul Iraqis still continue with the mawlid celebrations in spite of the chaos. Allahumma solli 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad habibar rahman, wa sayyidil akwan, wal haadhiri ma'a man solla 'alaihi fi kulli zamani wal makan, wa 'ala aalihi wa sohbihi wa sallam!!

[abuObayda1]

peace be upon Muhammad

[Mrtruthfulspeaks]

hazrat jalaluddeen as suyuti rahma tullah alaih said mowlid is a good bida.

[tourniquet84]

There is nothing better than to be accepted into an Iraq byet. To have a conversation and to get to know the people I saw everyday on those streets. The bread was always warm, the discussion always productive, and the chi was strong. Iraqis to me prefer much sugar in their chi, as do I. A sad note is i didn't get to talk to every Iraqi in my district. Who knows the stories that would have been told? Praise to God, for the best future for Iraq!

[tourniquet84]

As a american soldier when this occured in Khadamiya, right next door. I loved the food, fun, and festivities. Adhamiya was targeted by americans, b/c of the shear volume of violence. To many lost lives, period. This was a time of celebration. For me and my platoon we enjoyed the companionship iraqs shared when we traversed those streets of Khadamiya, Shula, and Dolyia.

[AnsarUK]

mashAllah may Allah give you all much barakah in this area which it needs it most

[calvelover]

iraqi people are brothers ,allah be with u