The Central Bank of Egypt announced on Wednesday that Thursday, September 28, will be an official holiday in all banks operating in Egypt for the Mawlid holiday (Prophet Mohammed’s birthday).
Muslim scholars announced that Mawlid will fall this year on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, corresponding to Rabi’ al-Awwal 12, 1445, after the sighting of the crescent of Rabi’ al-Awwal in Morocco last Thursday, and the beginning of the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal last Saturday.
Banks will resume work on the morning of Sunday, October 1.
Egypt’s only remaining official holiday in 2023 after Mawlid will be the October 6 War anniversary.
A special holiday
The date of the Prophet’s birthday is linked to the Hijri calendar system, a system that depends on the lunar month – the length of time that the moon takes in a complete orbit around the Earth.
The Hijri, Lunar or Islamic calendar depends on the lunar cycle to determine the months, and some Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia have take it as the official calendar of the state.
Established by Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, it used the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina on Rabi’ al-Awwal 12 (September 24, 622 AD) as a reference for its first year in it, which is is the reason behind calling it the Hijri calendar.
Celebrations of the Prophet’s birthday differ from one Islamic country to another, according to customs and traditions, all Muslims consider a day of peace and love as it is the day of the Prophet’s birth.
Dessert is an important part in holding the many celebrations, which begin with the establishment of marques and the display of sweets a month before the date of the birthday.
Egyptians eagerly buy and present gifts to their loved ones.
