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Asian Muslims Celebrate Mawlid Rasul
by Kazi Mahmood
SINGAPORE, June 7 (IslamOnline) - Muslim in Southeast Asia celebrated the Mawlid Rasul, or birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), with processions and feasts matching only those of Eid Ul Fitr celebrations.
In Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia, Muslims went out into the streets in droves, marching in major cities in celebration of the birthday of the holy prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW).
Top Southeast Asian leaders participated in the rallies and prayers in mosques.
In Brunei, Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah, who delivered a speech addressing the crowd, led the processions.
In Indonesia, an ongoing political divide did not hamper the desires of marchers, united under the banner of Islam to march in the streets of Jakarta.
Most of those marching in the celebrations were from the Nhadlatul Ulama (NU) party, while Muhammadiya supporters proceeded with Qur'anic recitations, as was the case in Bandar Seri Bagawan, Brunei.
Malaysia too saw its day of celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, coupled with the handing over of titles and knighthoods to locals.
The king of Malaysia, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, said Muslims in the country cannot afford to be lax in facing future challenges and should acquire knowledge as required by Islam to counter attacks and subordination by knowledgeable and efficient people.
He said Muslims should acquire knowledge on the Fardu Kifayah (social obligations) and not limit themselves to the Fardu Ain (personal obligations), because without experience in the former, they might not be able to fulfill the latter with tranquility.
He called on Muslims to use Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who overcame various obstacles with fortitude, courage, sincerity and patience, as their model and inspiration in their daily lives.
Speaking at the national-level celebration of the Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) birthday at Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, Abdul Aziz Shah expressed disappointment that the Muslims of today did not reflect the values of the Prophet (SAW) and still had much to assimilate from Islamic teachings.
"For example, the Muslims are not conscientious in acquiring knowledge. They are left behind," he said.
Sultan Salahuddin said the Prophet (SAW) overcame various obstacles because he was strong spiritually and physically, and was able to bring mankind out of the dark into the light.
"Through Islam, humans can change from a life of animosity and disunity to a life of unity and brotherhood," he said.
The appropriateness of the celebration of the Prophet's (SAW) birthday is an issue of extreme debate within both Islamic scholarly and common circles.
One view holds that the practice is un-Islamic because the Prophet (SAW), during his lifetime, forbade Muslims to celebrate his birthday, while another view holds that celebrating the birthday is akin to celebrating the birth of Islam and brings followers closer to the religion, reminding followers of the noble deeds of the Prophet (SAW).
Please refer to a recently posted IslamOnline cyberfatwa on the issue.
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