Birthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) in Morocco
In Morocco, Mawlid marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad and is observed on 12 Rabi al-awwal. Moroccan law lists it as a paid public holiday for public administrations, public establishments and concessioned services; the decree specifies 12 and 13 Rabi al-awwal.[1][2]
Meaning and Moroccan history
Morocco’s official holidays page identifies Mawlid as the birth of the Prophet Muhammad and places it on 12 Rabi al-awwal. The date follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so its Gregorian date shifts from year to year.[2]
Mawlid became a public ceremony in Morocco through a history that included its origin in Ceuta and later adoption by the Marinid rulers in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. A scholarly chapter describes the celebration’s meaning as contested and connected to several religious and political traditions of the period.[3]
A distinctive celebration in Salé
A notable local observance takes place in Salé: the municipal government describes the Moussem of the Candles of Moulay Abdallah Benhassoun as a tradition held in commemoration of Mawlid. The city’s account links its development to the Saadi sultan Ahmed al-Mansur and says that candle processions were also made in Fez and Marrakech, while the Salé tradition continued.[4]
The municipal description says the Salé procession takes place on the eve of Mawlid, beginning after the afternoon prayer and proceeding through the city to the mausoleum of Sidi Abdellah Benhassoun. It describes candle-bearers, devotional songs known as samaa and madih, and an evening gathering with a meal for participants and families in need.[4]
Public holiday and practical planning
The decree lists Mawlid among the holidays observed as paid days off by public administrations, public establishments and concessioned services. A government ministry’s summary also says state and local government administrations suspend work on listed religious and national holidays, and identifies Mawlid as a two-day holiday.[1][5]
Check with any service you plan to use, especially in Salé if you want to attend the candle procession.[4]
Frequently asked questions
Is Mawlid a public holiday in Morocco?
Yes. The decree lists Mawlid as a paid holiday in public administrations, public establishments and concessioned services.[1]
When is Mawlid observed in Morocco?
It is associated with 12 Rabi al-awwal. The Gregorian date changes each year because the official date is given in the Islamic lunar calendar.[2]
Are public offices closed, and what about shops or transport?
State and local government administrations suspend work on listed holidays.[5] Shops and transport operators set their own hours, so check with them before you travel.
Where can I see a notable local celebration?
Salé’s municipality describes a candle procession on the eve of Mawlid, followed by devotional music and other gatherings. Details can vary, so check local announcements before travelling.[4]
Sources and references
Sources used for Birthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) in Morocco:
- Décret n° 2-77-169 du 9 rebia I 1397 (28 février 1977) fixant la liste des jours fériés chômés dans les administrations publiques, établissements publics et services concédés.- Ministère de la Transition Numérique et de la Réforme de l'Administration, Royaume du Maroc
- National and religious holidays and their meanings- Maroc.ma, Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication
- ʿAzafid Ceuta, Mawlid al-Nabī and the Development of Marīnid Strategies of Legitimation- British Academy Scholarship Online, Oxford Academic
- Procession of candles- Commune of Salé
- Horaires de travail et jours fériés- Ministère de la Transition Numérique et de la Réforme de l'Administration