Muslims throughout Malaysia commemorate the birth of the founder of Islam, Prophet Muhammad. The birthday falls on the twelfth day of the month of Rabiulawal, the third month of the Muslim calendar. This is purely a religious festival and is marked as a public holiday.

Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is celebrated by Muslims throughout the nation, with special prayers that are recited at the mosque. Many gather for processions and religious rallies to mark this auspicious day. Feasts are also organised by individuals or by religious and social institutions for the poor and needy.

The celebration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad is an exclusively religious festival. It is celebrated without the usual pomp and splendour of other festivals.

The Birthday of Prophet Muhammad is also called Maulud Nabi or Maulidur Rasul. 

Reproduced with permission from:
Glimpses of Malaysia Series, GeoVision Productions (1993- 2003)