What is Mawlid all about?
From Mahabba Peterborough
We have just passed a Muslim festival celebrated by many if not all Muslims.
Mawlid, or Milad, marks the birth of the Islamic Prophet in the year 570 of our calendar.
Sunni Muslims observe the Prophet's birthday on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi' al-awwal, while Shi'a Muslims mark it on the 17th of this month.
Islamic calendars can differ so the Prophet's Birthday for most Muslims was on one of 30th November or 1st or 2nd December.
Mawlid is celebrated with large street parades in some countries. Homes and mosques are also decorated. Some people donate food and other goods for charity on or around this day.
Others listen to their children read out poems about events that occurred in the Prophet Muhammed's life.
Many Muslims do not participate in celebrations but they may mark the occasion by spending more time to read the Qur'an.
Muhammed is said to have been born on a Monday and some scholars see fasting during the hours of daylight on Mondays as another way to celebrate his birth.