Salé Residents Celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday with Candle Parade

Residents of Salé, Morocco, held a traditional candle procession through the city's old quarter to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad [1, 2].

The event highlights the preservation of regional folk traditions and religious devotion within Morocco's urban centers. By combining spiritual observance with public performance, the community maintains a cultural link to the Islamic heritage of the region.

The celebrations took place in the medina, the old city of Salé [1, 2]. Participants marched through the narrow streets carrying candles, creating an illuminated procession that is a hallmark of the local observance of Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi. The event featured a blend of religious and cultural expressions, including traditional music, chants, and folk performances [1, 2].

This specific holiday is observed by Muslims globally to mark the birth of the Prophet Muhammad [1, 3]. In Salé, the celebration is characterized by its communal nature, drawing residents into the streets to share in the festivities. The use of candles and rhythmic chanting serves as a sensory manifestation of the city's religious identity.

According to tradition, the anniversary is observed on the 12th day of Rabiʿ al-Awwal ^[3], which is the third month of the Islamic calendar ^[3]. The timing of the event follows the lunar calendar, meaning the date shifts relative to the Gregorian calendar each year.

The parade in the medina represents one of the more visually distinct ways the holiday is celebrated in North Africa. While some regions observe the day with quiet prayer and reflection, the residents of Salé utilize public space to express their faith through art and movement [1, 2].