Mawlid, also known as Mawlid al-Nabi, is an Islamic celebration that marks the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. It is celebrated on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, which equates to October or November in the Gregorian calendar, depending on the year. The celebration is observed in many ways and forms in the Muslim world, including sharing food, attending lectures about the Prophets life and virtues, salawat prayer services, participating in marches, and reciting the Qur’an, litanies, and devotional poetry of the Prophet. Some Muslims commemorate the day by fasting and reading the Quran, while others dress up in bright colors and get a tiny horse or a doll made out of sugar.

The celebration of Mawlid is controversial among Muslims, with some refusing to participate in the observance, feeling it is an innovation which places too much emphasis on the Prophet as human and distracts from the true divine source of revelation. However, many Muslims view the Mawlid as a way to remember the Prophet Muhammad and express love for him. The celebration has taken on significance among Muslims as a way to keep the memory of the Prophet alive in the collective Muslim consciousness.

In summary, Mawlid is an Islamic celebration that marks the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. It is observed in many ways and forms in the Muslim world, and while it is controversial among Muslims, many view it as a way to remember and express love for the Prophet.