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Palestinians in Jerusalem celebrate The Birth Of The Messenger

From boy scout parades to giving away sweets, the Muslim celebration hits different in Jerusalem

 

Palestinian children visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the celebrations of the Birth of the Messenger (Photo Credit: Afif Amireh)

Jerusalem24 – The birth of the Messenger is an annual commemoration on the day of the birth of Prophet Muhammad Bin Abduallah. The day is celebrated according to the Islamic Lunar Calendar on the 12th of Rabei’ Al-Awal and according to the Sunnis or the 17th of Rabei’ Al-Awal according to the Shiite.

 

Popular celebrations begin from the beginning of the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal to its end, by setting up councils in which people sing poems in praise of the Prophet, and in which lessons are from his biography, and his merits are mentioned, and food and sweets are served, such as the sweetness of the birth.

The celebrations of the birth of Prophet Mohammad are different in Jerusalem when compared to other cities in the West Bank and even the Islamic world.

A Palestinian young man preparing sweets to be distributed during the festivities of the Birth of the Messenger in Jerusalem (Photo Credit: Afif Amireh)

The visitors of the city and the Al Aqsa Mosque get to witness the different boy scout groups march through the streets of the city regardless of the barriers of the Israeli occupation. They will also listen to Islamic carols and congratulate each other.

The celebrations have been an ongoing tradition in Jerusalem for over 600 years.

During the celebrations, Islamic banners and flags fill the streets and are hung on the doors of shops in the old city and the al-Aqsa Mosque. Jerusalemites greet and congratulate each other and give each other sweets.

During the day, singers chant songs along with the boy scouts, through the winding streets of the old city; ending their march at the Al Aqsa Mosque. There the Islamic Endowments organizes a central festival for the memorial at the Qibli Mosque.

Palestinian families gathering in the Al-Aqsa Mosque Courtyards (Photo Credit: Afif Amireh)

Inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards, dozens of families gather for the celebration, where they pray the noon prayers, and then participate in the festivities; after which they have lunch together in the courtyards of the al-Aqsa.

Mohammad Hamayel

Ramallah based journalist, Mohammad graduated from Al-Quds University with a B.A. in Media and Television. He has covered the 2015 Jerusalem Intifada as well as the Great March of Return for international media outlets. currently an editor/presenter at Jerusalem24. A UN alumni and a follower of global events and politics, especially American affairs.

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