Except for Saudi Arabia — which officially celebrates its National Day, Halloween, and other imported occasions without condemnation, yet refuses to recognise Mawlid al-Nabi due to its Wahhabi-leaning scholars who were the first in Islamic history to innovate the fatwa prohibiting the Prophet’s birthday for over 1,500 years — the wider Muslim world marks the day with diverse customs. Celebrations differ from country to country, reflecting unique cultural traditions, but the ummah remains united in joy at the birth of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. At the same time, opinions remain divided between those who support reviving the blessed occasion and those who reject it on the grounds of lacking explicit textual evidence.
Middle East & The Levant
Turkey
Known as Mevlid Kandili, the Prophet’s birthday is officially and widely observed. Mosques host Qur’an recitations and seerah circles, while a distinct Turkish custom is distributing small cakes, drinks, and sweets among worshippers and neighbours.
Syria
Families decorate streets with flags and lights, mosques overflow with dhikr gatherings, and Qur’an recitations and praises of the Prophet ﷺ fill the air. Children receive new clothes, and sweets are shared.
Palestine
Despite occupation, Palestinians keep the tradition alive: families gather, prepare desserts like knafeh, and host dhikr sessions in mosques.
Iraq
Iraqi cities mark the Mawlid with illuminated shrines, sermons on the seerah, and mass recitations of the Qur’an and qasā’ids (religious odes). In Baghdad and Karbala, processions blend spiritual devotion with cultural displays.
Lebanon
Mosques and community centres host gatherings of qasīda burda recitations, and dhikr circles. Streets in Tripoli and Sidon are decorated, while sweets and food are distributed widely.
North Africa
Egypt
Markets overflow with Halawat al-Mawlid: nut sweets, sugar figurines, the candy horse, and the traditional Mawlid doll. Mosques are lit, dhikr gatherings organised, and in Upper Egypt, horse parades, mizmār music, and mermah horse races dominate.
Morocco
Mosques host Qur’an recitations and seerah lessons, families prepare tajine and traditional sweets, while processions in major cities bring people together for collective devotional singing.
Algeria
Streets and homes fill with incense, sweets, and candles. Families chant “Tala‘a al-Badru ‘Alayna,” while fireworks light up the skies. Mosques emphasise seerah lessons and children are taught prophetic manners.
Sudan
Celebrations begin from the start of Rabi‘ al-Awwal. Streets fill with tents selling sweets, dhikr circles run nightly, and meals are shared in honour of the Prophet ﷺ.
Ethiopia
The Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Addis Ababa hosted a major gathering at the Anwar Mosque, with religious leaders, community figures, and diplomats present.
Asia
South Asia
- Pakistan: A public holiday with green flags, illuminated mosques, and large processions in cities like Karachi and Lahore.
- India: Processions and mosque decorations dominate. In Hyderabad, the main procession was rescheduled this year due to overlapping festivals.
- Bangladesh: Mosques and shrines filled with Qur’an recitations and gatherings of nasheed and seerah lessons.
Southeast Asia
- Malaysia: Maulid Nabi is celebrated nationwide with mosque sermons, processions, Qur’an recitations, and communal feasts. Streets and mosques are decorated, and charity is central.
- Indonesia: A public holiday with grand events. The Javanese tradition of Grebeg Maulud sees palaces distribute food offerings (gunungan) to the public, symbolising generosity and blessing.
Europe
Western Europe
In France, UK, and Germany, mosques hosted seerah lectures and nasheed evenings. Processions in Paris and London included thousands, carrying banners and chanting praises.
Eastern Europe
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, communities held Qur’an recitations and Mawlid concerts blending Islamic devotion with local music traditions. In Albania and Kosovo, mosques overflowed with attendees, highlighting strong Balkan attachment to the Prophet ﷺ.
The Americas
North America
In the United States and Canada, Muslim organisations held Mawlid conferences, lectures, and cultural evenings. In major cities like New York, Chicago, and Toronto, mosques organised seerah gatherings in English and Arabic, drawing Muslims of diverse backgrounds.
Latin America
In Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, Muslim communities hosted modest Mawlid events in mosques and Islamic centres. Recitations, food sharing, and public lectures introduced non-Muslims to the Prophet’s life and message.
Conclusion
Across continents, Muslims continue to celebrate Mawlid al-Nabi with devotion, creativity, and cultural richness. From Egypt’s sugar horses to Indonesia’s Grebeg Maulud, from Lebanon’s dhikr circles to London’s processions, the day is a living reminder of love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. This unifying tradition endures despite attempts to erase it.
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In Singapore majority of mosques celebrate from the night of 1st Rabiul Awal till the 11th. Feeding the attendees every night along with others in their homes. Every night they will read Maulid Diba’e and Simtut Durra.