DirectRooms.com – Muslims hold processions in Langkawi to celebrate Muhammad’s birthday

On 15th February 2011 people will be celebrating Mawlid al-Nabi with the word Mawlid in Arabic meaning ‘to give birth’; and it is a day when 1.7 billion Muslims around the world will be marking the occasion with special services.

On Langkawi street parades take place to honour and pay respect to the prophet and mosques can be seen adorned with special decorations for the celebrations. Typically a service within the mosque will feature the recital of significant acts carried out by Muhammad during his lifetime and lessons are given on the way people can replicate his teachings. People can also be seen giving food to the poor and narrations of the famous Qasida al-Burda poem are commonplace as the poem is written exclusively in praise of Muhammad.

Some Islamic followers have opposing views on whether the birthday should in fact be celebrated as the prophet himself advised his followers not to commemorate his birthday. The day is a national holiday in many countries however and is widely celebrated and so finding a hotel in Langkawi may be more difficult as people gather for the prestigious event.

Lek Boonlert, marketing head at DirectRooms.com commented: "Langkawi is only going to get busier for Mawlid al-Nabi as people take advantage of the national holiday. Making hotel reservations early should be a priority for anyone visiting the island over the date of the event."

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