Despite the circumstances of war and ongoing displacement, Sudanese people are keen on celebrating the Mawlid Al-Nabi Procession and preserving this annual tradition by setting up tents and raising colourful flags in squares and areas far from the current conflict.
The Mawlid Al-Nabi Procession is a deeply rooted tradition in Sudan, accompanied by music and sufi drums, celebrating the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, which falls on September 27th this year.
At the beginning of the month of Rabi’ Al-Awwal each year, processions for the Mawlid start daily from public squares after the afternoon prayer, accompanied by popular music and drums, until they settle in designated places for celebrating the religious occasion.
The procession includes religious chants and sufi hymns set to the rhythms of drums and percussion instruments, including the “Nubat,” which is a popular percussion instrument. Sufi groups sing praises of the Prophet, and the participants sway to their rhythms.
Shelling and stray bullets
The commemoration of Mawlid Al-Nabi provides a significant opportunity for families and friends to come together, relax, enjoy sweets, and temporarily forget their daily worries and life’s burdens.
Citizen Abdel Basit Yousef said that the war has deprived thousands of Sudanese people in the capital, Khartoum, of setting up tents and enjoying sweets due to the continuous fighting and the closure of sweet factories.
He added, “We have confined our celebrations to a small square within our neighbourhood in Omdurman (west of Khartoum) out of fear of stray bullets and random shelling.”
Yousef further explained, “The Mawlid procession is a source of hope, psychological relief, and an occasion to send blessings upon the Prophet for us. That’s why we were determined to celebrate it despite the economic hardships.”
The Sudanese army led by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo exchange accusations of responsibility for initiating the fighting and committing violations during the consecutive ceasefires.
Beautiful rituals and traditions
In other safe states in Sudan, hundreds of people participated in the celebrations of the Prophet’s birthday through various rituals and customs, expressing joy and happiness on this honourable occasion.
Abdul Fattah Al-Tayeb mentioned that the Mawlid procession in Atbara (in the north) began in the city with a significant security presence enforced by the police of the River Nile State to ensure the safety of the celebrations and to contain any security breaches.
Al-Tayeb explained that “a large group celebrated the Prophet’s birthday, enjoying sweets and tea in beautiful religious rituals.”
Activists in Sudan shared images and videos on social media platforms showing the participation of hundreds in celebrations and sufi processions in several states.
Sufi Orders centers
In Medani, the capital of Al Jazira State in central Sudan, authorities decided to limit the celebrations of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday within the Sufi Orders Centers.
Meanwhile, authorities in Sennar (south) decided not to hold celebrations this year due to “the exceptional security circumstances the country is going through.”
In Rabak, the capital of the White Nile State in Sudan’s south, the celebrants gathered in front of mosques and marched through the main streets to reach the square dedicated to the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday in the city center.
Ahmed Issa stated that “the celebrations started peacefully in front of the mosques, in a beautiful spiritual atmosphere, and we celebrated the noble Prophet’s birthday despite the tragedies of war and displacement.”