Morocco will celebrate Eid Al Mawlid Nabawi, the feast of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Tuesday, November 20.
Rabat- In a statement, Morocco’s Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs announced that as the 1st of Rabi Al Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar fell on November 9, Eid Al Mawlid celebrated by Sunni Muslims on the 12th of Rabi Al Awwal, will be on November 20.
Morocco observed the crescent moon indicating the start of Rabi Al Awwal in the evening of November 8 coinciding with the second Hijri month Safar 29, 1440 AH.
While Sunni Muslims observe the birthday of Prophet Muhammad in the 12th of Rabi Al Awwal, Shia Muslims celebrate it on the 17th of the same month, falling this year on November 25.
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Unlike Eid al-Fitr marking the end of Ramadan or Eid al-Adha (the festival of sacrifice), for Eid Al Mawlid there are no special Eid prayers which Muslims perform early in the early morning of Eid.
Although Eid Al Mawlid has frequently been a subject of debate in the Islamic world on whether Muslims are allowed to celebrate it or not since many Muslim scholars consider birthdays “haram” (forbidden), many Moroccans see it as an occasion to express their devotion to their faith and love for their prophet.
Eid Al Mawlid Nabawi is a spiritual day when Muslims recall the ideals of Islam and recite poems dedicated to the prophet.