Muslims in Türkiye and around the world are preparing to observe Mawlid al-Nabi (Mevlid Kandili), which falls on Monday, Aug. 24, this year, marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad. The religious night will be observed from the evening of Aug. 24 to the morning of Aug. 25, with celebrations highlighting his teachings on compassion, justice, unity and good morality.
Observed on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi al-Awwal, Mawlid al-Nabi has been commemorated in Muslim societies for centuries through religious ceremonies, sermons, recitations and works dedicated to the Prophet.
The term mawlid, meaning “place and time of birth,” is used in Islamic culture to refer to the birth of Prophet Muhammad as well as the ceremonies held and works written to commemorate the occasion.
The Prophet’s birthday was celebrated with official ceremonies during the Ottoman, Mamluk, Ayyubid and Fatimid periods, while Turkish and Arab literature produced numerous works expressing devotion and love for Prophet Muhammad.
One of the best-known works associated with Mawlid ceremonies is Suleyman Celebi’s "Vesiletü'n Necat" (The Means of Salvation), which is widely recited in Muslim communities, particularly in Türkiye.
