September 2009

Hari Raya Puasa

Hari Raya Puasa is the most prominent of all Muslim festivals in Singapore. Hari Raya is Malay for "Grand day of rejoicing". It is also known in Arabic as Edil Fitri. Edil Fitri or Hari Raya Puasa is a celebratory occasion following a month of fasting. The month of fasting is known as Ramadhan.

Date Of Hari Raya Puasa
According to the Muslim calendar, Hari Raya Puasa falls on the first month of the Muslim month of Shawal. Shawal is the 10th month in the Muslim calendar. The Muslims follow the lunar calendar as opposed to the solar calendar and therefore the dates on which Hari Raya Puasa falls varies each year. Hari Raya Puasa therefore should not be mistaken for the first day of the Malay or Muslim New Year.

The Fasting Month Of Ramadhan
Ramadhan falls on the 9th month of the Muslim year. Puasa is Malay for "fasting", which commences at 5:30 am and ends at 7:00 pm. The month of Ramadhan is spent in fasting, prayer and the internal cleansing of the soul. The duration of fasting in a day lasts from dawn to dusk. It is also a time where Muslims abstain from sensual and worldly pleasures. During Ramadhan most Muslims read the Quran (Muslim holy book). Muslims learn to appreciate the finer aspects of life and incline towards giving to the less fortunate.

Fasting is expected of all adults with the exception of very old people, the sick and women who are expecting and breast feeding. Travellers are permitted to eat during the period of fasting provided they make up for lost days later on. Fast is broken after sunset when it is time for the evening meal known as Iftar. Fasting is broken slowly with light dishes of dates or apricots soaked in sweetened water or with a special drink made of spicy milk. This seems the method by which Prophet Mohammed broke fast. A big meal follows the break of fast when Muslims can eat and drink as they wish till the hours before dawn. Children are trained to fast by the time they are 6 years old. They fast for half a day in preparation for full fasting when they become adults. Muslim converts also train with half a day's fasting before they take on full scale fasting.

The break of fast is followed by tarawih prayers which brings family members closer. Friends take turns to exchange invitations to break fast known as majlis berbuka puasa meaning "breaking of fast" as one big happy family. In Geylang and Jalan Bussorah (behind Masjid Sultan), streets are brightly lit with all sorts of Malay culinary specialities that go on sale for the breaking of fast.

                       

The Festival of Hari Raya Puasa or Edil Fitri
Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan. Prayers followed by a thanks-giving feasts are held in mosques on the morning of the occasion. It is a time of forgiveness within the Muslim community and a time for strengthening of bonds amongst relatives and friends. New clothes, decorated houses and exchange of invitations between friends and relatives commemorate Hari Raya Puasa. Children salam (greet) their parents on the morning of Hari Raya Puasa and ask for forgiveness and blessings.
Of importance are the two out of the five tennets of Islam that mark Hari Raya Puasa. Fasting encapsulates the third pillar and Zakat Fitrah, or "tithing", encapsulates the fourth pillar of Islam. Zakat in Islamic law prescribes 2% of property or 1/40th of income be distributed to the poor. By the eve of Hari Raya Puasa most Muslims would have paid their taxes by distributing money to the needy and less fortunate.

The asking of pardon amongst family members signifies the renewal of old ties. Government and commercial buildings are brightly lit whilst oil lamps light up Muslim homes.

The celebration of the festival extends to a month where importance is placed on the first three days. During the three days Muslim homes have an "open house" policy where friends and relatives visit. It is also customary during this period that graves of departed souls are visited and they are remembered in prayers. Seven days prior to Hari Raya Puasa a small oil lamp is lit in front of every Muslim home. Each day an additional lamp is added and finally by the seventh day there are seven lamps lit in a complete row. These lamps are meant to welcome the souls of the departed who are supposed to be visiting their families in the night. This ceremony is known as Malam Tujuh Likur, meaning "all soul's night".

On Hari Raya Puasa the Malays in Singapore have a lavish spread of all sorts of food over their dinning table. They would have specialities such as beef rendang (a spicy dish of beef that is like a dry curry), ketupat (rice cake wrapped in coconut leaf) and lontong (rice cake immersed in coconut gravy). Along with these would be cookies cakes and pineapple tarts. Amongst the Indian Muslims such as the Pakistanis, Khojas and Dawoodi Bohras the dinning tables would be laden with spreads of curries, biryani (savoury rice cooked with meat or chicken) and dates cooked in milk.

The Malays would greet each other with Selamat Hari Raya, which means "happy day of joy" and the Indian Muslims would say Eid Mubarak, meaning "blessings of the holy day". Hari Raya Puasa is a public holiday in Singapore.
                       

August 2009

August 17th: Indonesia's Independence Day

Leading up to the big event

Preparations for the patriotic celebrations begin weeks before the 17th of August. High-rise office buildings around town sprout large banners or lighted designs, fences around the presidential palace and many government offices are draped in red and white bunting, malls decorate in red and white and hold Independence Day sales, the city administration spends big bucks to create a unique series of red and white lighted decorations down the length of Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman, housing complexes repaint their main gate decorated with independence themes.

The whole town takes on a red and white hue and the words Dirgahayu RI (Long live Indonesia!) can be seen everywhere.

Political observers, social scientists and those with opinions write 'Insights' in the newspapers and magazines on the country's progress since independence and challenges for the future as well as discussions on what the founding fathers would think of various conditions in society today.
Neighborhood associations often coordinate special activities for the neighborhood children and may request donations from homeowners to sponsor games and prizes for the children. Schools hold contests to see which class can decorate their room in the most patriotic manner as well as holding games and races amongst classes.

TV shows commemorating the struggle for independence are aired for weeks before and after independence day. All-star musical extravaganzas are held in various venues and broadcast throughout the archipelago.

Neighborhood associations, or your local RT (neighborhood head), may organize a clean up of the area or kerja bakti. Drains are swept, weeds are cut back, debris is burned and public areas are repainted. Women are asked to provide snacks to the hard working men. Homeowners may be requested by the RT to fly the Indonesian flag for a set period of time before and after the holiday. Businesses may be asked to make contributions to fund an extravaganza of fireworks and entertainment in Monas Square as well as for other more localized festivities. In years past, neighborhood heads would ask homeowners to paint their homes, at least the front, in preparation for the big day.

The President delivers the State of the Nation Address to the members of the House of Representatives, diplomatic corps and honored guests on the day before Independence Day.

On August 17th
The most solemn ceremony is the flag hoisting at the National Palace, televised live. Full of pomp and circumstance and conducted basically the same way each year, it is a spectacle of the greatest respect and honor for the flag and the Republic. The ceremonies are led by the President and Vice President, and attended by the cabinet, military brass, family members of the current and preceding president, diplomatic corps and honored guests. High School students from throughout the archipelago are chosen for their marching skills and put on a show of intricate steps and turns to hoist the flag. The military is out with all its brass in high shine, standing smartly at attention in their dress uniforms.

While the solemn ceremonies are taking place, neighborhoods gear up for fun and games for the kids. Krupuk (shrimp chips) eating contests, bike decorating, games, races and lots of fun fill the day. The women are busy in cooking contests to see who can make the biggest krupuk or the most delicious nasi tumpeng.

One of the most popular games is the Panjat Pinang. An Areca palm trunk is erected in a public area and well greased with a mixture of clay and oil. At the top are hung various prizes like bikes and TVs. Whoever makes it to the top wins the prize. Needless to say there are a lot of slippery, muddy kids and grownups alike climbing over each other and struggling to reach the goal. A good time is had by all, especially the crowd watching the gaiety.

Following the big day
In the past (before the 1997 monetary crisis) the government held a spectacular Independence Day parade on the Sunday after Independence Day; a spectacular parade of floats and marching bands which begins near the National Monument and travels down Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman. The floats are sponsored by government institutions, state companies, private firms and foundations. The artistic skills which won Indonesia acclaim in Tournament of Roses parades in years past are enjoyed by the tens of thousands of Jakartans who show up to enjoy the spectacle.

July 2009

Esala Perahera is the grand festival of Esala held in Sri Lanka. It is very grand with elegant costumes. Happening in July or August in Kandy, it has become a unique symbol of Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist festival consisting of dances and richly-decorated elephants. There are fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandian dances and various other cultural dances. The elephants are usually adorned with lavish garments. The festival ends with the traditional 'diya-kepeema'.

The Procession
The Kandy Esala Perahera begins with the Kap Situveema or Kappa, in which a sanctified young Jack tree (Artocarpus integrifolia) is cut and planted in the premises of each of the four Devales dedicated to the four guardian gods Natha, Vishnu, Katharagama and the goddess Pattini. Traditionally it was meant to shower blessing on the King and the people.

Dancers at the Esala Perahera

The Kumbal Perahera
For the next five nights, the "Devale Peraheras" take place within the premises of the four Devales with the priest of each Devale taking the pole every evening, accompanied by music and drumming, flag and canopy bearers, spearman and the Ran Ayudha, the sacred insignia of the Gods.
On the sixth night, the Kumbal Perahera begins and continues on for five days. Initially, the Devale Peraheras assemble in front of the Sri Dalada Maligawa (or Temple of the Tooth, which is Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist Shrine and where the Buddha’s Sacred Tooth Relic has been kept since the 16th Century) with their insignias placed on the ransivige (a dome-like structure) accompanied by the Basnayake Nilames (the lay custodians of the Devales).

The relic casket, which is a substitute for the Tooth Relic, is placed inside the ransivige affixed to the Maligawa Elephant, a tusker.

At about 8pm, the Maligawa Perahera joins the awaiting Devale Peraheras and leads the procession. Whip-crackers and fireball acrobats clear the path, followed by the Buddhist flag bearers. Then, riding on the first elephant, is the official called Peramuna Rala (Front Official). He is followed by Kandyan Drummers and Dancers who enthrall the crowd, and are themselves followed by elephants and other groups of musicians, dancers and flag bearers. A group of singers dressed in white heralds the arrival of the Maligawa Tusker carrying the Sacred Tooth Relic. The Diyawadana Nilame (traditionally required to do everything in his power to ensure rain in the correct season) walks in traditional Kandyan-clothed splendor after the tusker.

The second procession is from the Natha Devale, which faces the Sri Dalada Maligawa and is said to be the oldest building in Kandy, dating back to the 14th Century.

The third is from the Vishnu Devale (Vishnu being a Hindu god), also known as the Maha Devale. It is situated in from of the main gate of the Natha Devale.

The fourth procession is from the Katharagama Devale (dedicated to the God of Katharagama, identified with the warrior god Skanda) which is on Kottugodalle Vidiya (a street in Kandy). This procession includes Kavadi, the peacock dance, in which the pilgrim-dances carry semicircular wooden contraptions studded with peacock feathers on their shoulders.
The fifth and final procession is from the Pattini Devale (Pattini being a goddess associated with the cure of infectious diseases and called upon in times of drought and famine), which is situated to the West of the Natha Devale. This is the only procession that has women dances.

The following important times are announced by the firing of cannonballs, which can be heard all across Kandy.

1. The commencement of the Devale Peraheras
2. The placing of the casket on the tuskers back
3. The commencement of the Dalada Perahera
4. The completion of the Perahera

June 2009

Philippine Independence 12 June

Independence: 12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US.

History
The event was led by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in his mansion on June 12, 1898. The flag of the Philippines, which was made in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad was first flown in that event. It is also where the Philippine National Anthem, composed by Julian Felipe, was first played by the San Francisco de Malabon band. The song was played under the name Marcha Filipina Magdalo, later renamed as Marcha Nacional Filipina.

The Official Flag of the Republic of the Philippines.The Philippines celebrated its Independence Day every July 4, the date in 1946 that the United States granted independence to the nation, until 1962, when President Diosdado Macapagal signed the Presidential Proclamation No. 28, changing the official celebration to June 12, the date in 1898 that Emilio Aguinaldo declared the nation's independence from Spain.[6]

On June 12, 1998, the nation celebrated its centennial year of Independence from Spain. The celebrations were held simultaneously nationwide by then President Fidel V. Ramos and Filipino communities worldwide. A commission was established for the said event, the National Centennial Commission headed by former Vice President Salvador Laurel presided all events around the country. One of the major projects of the commission was the Expo Pilipino, a grand showcase of the Philippines' growth as a nation for the last 100 years, located in the Clark Special Economic Zone (formerly Clark Air Base) in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred on June 12, 1898 in Cavite el Viejo (now Kawit), Cavite, Philippines. With the public reading of the Act of the Declaration of Independence, Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain, which had been recently defeated at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

The declaration, however, was not recognized by the United States or Spain. The Spanish government later ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American War.

The United States recognized Philippine independence on July 4, 1946 in the Treaty of Manila.[1] July 4 was observed in the Philippines as Independence Day until August 4, 1964 when, upon the advice of historians and the urging of nationalists, President Diosdado Macapagal signed into law Republic Act No. 4166 designating June 12 as the country's Independence Day.[2] June 12 had previously been observed as Flag Day.

May 2009

Vesak Day, 9th May 2009

Vesak Day, formerly also spelt as 'Wesak Day' until the 1970s, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of Siddharta Gautama Shakyamuni (Sakyamuni) Buddha. The day falls on the full moon of the fourth lunar month - the month of Viskha in Palo.

It was only after World War II that the movement to make Vesak Day a public holiday started. According to Ong Y. D., the first of many petitions to the government to make Vesak Day a public holiday was from the Singapore Buddhist Association in October 1947. Both Theravada and Mahayana communities then united to form a joint Vesak Holiday Committee in 1949. However, a government Select Committee in 1950 recommended against adding Vesak Day to the number of holidays. It said that there was “insufficient evidence" of public support for it.

Only in June 1955, after David Marshall's Labour Front government had come to power, was Vesak Day made a public holiday in Singapore. The date for the first Vesak Day celebration was gazetted as 23 May 1956 after consultation with the Singapore Buddhist Association. However, the full moon for May 1956 would be on the 24th. This set off a protest from other Buddhist groups, particularly the Buddhist Union. This resulted in the date for the first Vesak Day being changed to 24th May. The date remained set as 24th May in spite of a subsequent protest by the Singapore Buddhist Association that Vesak Day could not be celebrated on the 24th because there of a lunar eclipse that night.

Buddhists believe that performing good deedson Vesak Day would multiply merit many times over. General rites and rituals practised on Vesak Day include chanting of mantras; releasing of caged birds and animals; having vegetarian meals; and "bathing" a Buddha statue, a reference to the legend of the child Buddha being showered with the waters of nine dragons soon after birth. These acts of generosity observed by the Buddhist temples are also known as Dana. Buddhist youth also organise mass blood donations at hospitals. Most statues of the Lord Buddha are illuminated on Vesak Day. The celebrations conclude with a candlelight procession through the streets. The Buddhist community in Singapore is made up of various sectors, each of them offering variant ways of celebrating the occasion. 

The Mahayana or "Greater Way" constitutes mainly Chinese Singaporeans and form the majority of Buddhists here. The Mahayana strain of Buddhism had come in 1884 through individual missionaries from China's southern province. The focus of Mahayana Buddhism is that Nirvana can be obtained not only through self-perseverance but also through the help of bodhisattvas or "enlightened ones". One such bodhisattva highly regarded in Singapore is Guanyin, the "Goddess of Mercy". Mahayana Buddhist temples in Singapore, like the Phor Kark See Temple on Bright Hill Road, practised the "three-step, one-bow" ritual on Vesak Day. Devotees would take steps on both knees, bowing at every third step as they pray for world peace, personal blessings and repentance. The exhausting 2-hour procession actually begins 24 hours beforehand when many would reserve a place in the procession with as little as a tissue packet. 

Theravada Buddhism is mainly practised by Singapore's Sri Lankan and Burmese Buddhist communities. The focus of Theravada Buddhism is seeking one's own path to salvation. The Burmese Buddhist Temple at Geylang and the Sri Lankaramaya Temple at St Michael's Road practise a ritual of cooking a pot of rice in milk on Vesak Day, reminiscent of Buddha's last meal before his long fast toward enlightenment.

The turn of the century has seen some changes in the celebration of Vesak Day. Since the 1990s, Buddhist organisations increasingly turned away from promoting the release of animals. Some organisations even hosted exhibitions or talks about the adverse effects of releasing animals into the wild. In 2004, a group of volunteers started patrolling parks and reservoirs on Vesak Day to educate the public. This annual effort cumulated in Operation No Release in 2006. An annual community celebration started in 2002 along Little India's Serangoon Road followed by the Chinatown Vesak Festival at South Bridge Road starting in 2007.

Source: http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_242_2004-12-30.html

April 2009

Good Friday, 10 April 2009

History of Good Friday
As early as the first century, the Church set aside every Friday as a special day of prayer and fasting. It was not until the fourth century, however, that the Church began observing the Friday before Easter as the day associated with the crucifixion of Christ. First called Holy or Great Friday by the Greek Church, the name "Good Friday" was adopted by the Roman Church around the sixth or seventh century.

Good Friday Origins
There are two possible origins for the name "Good Friday". The first may have come from the Gallican Church in Gaul (modern-day France and Germany). The name "Gute Freitag" is Germanic in origin and literally means "good" or "holy" Friday. The second possibility is a variation on the name "God's Friday," where the word "good" was used to replace the word "God," which was often viewed as too holy for commoners to speak.

Good Friday Traditions
Good Friday rituals and traditions are distinct from those of all other Church observances and add to Good Friday's considerable significance. The entire ceremony is somber, with priests and deacons dressing in black vestments. The pulpit and the altar are bare, and no candles are lit. The purpose behind the solemn presentation is to create an awareness of grief over the sacrifice of God's only begotten Son.

Good Friday Church Rituals



Starting anytime between midnight and 3 a.m., priests and other clerics begin to recite specific prayers. At the morning ceremony, the priest or church official recites lessons from the scriptures. Afterwards, there is a succession of prayers asking for God's mercy and forgiveness on all mankind.
                                                                       
At the noon hour comes the Adoration of the Cross, where a representation of the True Cross is unveiled and the clergy and laity pay homage to the sacrifice of Christ. In the Jerusalem Church, a remnant of the True Cross itself is presented for the ceremony. Next comes the Mass of the Presanctified, in which the priest or church official takes Communion from the host that was blessed during the Maundy Thursday ceremony. The ceremony concludes around 3 p.m. with a procession, which is followed by evening prayers.



In many Protestant churches, Good Friday observances begin at noon and last until 3 p.m. This coincides with the hours (according to the scriptures) that Jesus hung on the cross. These services often include sermons on the last seven phrases that Jesus spoke while being crucified. Other services include re-enactments of the Passion according to the Gospel of John, processions of the Stations of the Cross, and the singing of appropriate hymns. All observances add to Good Friday significance and to the richness of meaning for those who know the history of the observance.

To many Christians, Good Friday is felt as a day of sorrow. It is a time to grieve over the sin of man and to meditate upon the love that God has so generously bestowed upon humanity in giving His only Son for the redemption of sin. 

Source: http://www.faithclipart.com/guide/Christian-Holidays/good-friday-significance.html

April Fool's Day History

The history of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January 1. Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Still others, who were more rebellious refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1. These people were labeled "fools" by the general populace, were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played upon them. The butts of these pranks became known as a "poisson d'avril" or "April fish" because a young naive fish is easily caught. In addition, one common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke. This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continue on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread elsewhere like to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Because of this spread to other countries, April Fool's Day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way. In Scotland, for instance, April Fool's Day is devoted to spoofs involving the buttocks and as such is called Taily Day. The butts of these jokes are known as April 'Gowk', another name for cuckoo bird. The origins of the "Kick Me" sign can be traced back to the Scottish observance. In England, jokes are played only in the morning. Fools are called 'gobs' or 'gobby' and the victim of a joke is called a 'noodle.' It was considered back luck to play a practical joke on someone after noon. In Rome, the holiday is known as Festival of Hilaria, celebrating the resurrection of the god, Attis, is on March 25 and is also referred to as "Roman Laughing Day." In Portugal, April Fool's Day falls on the Sunday and Monday before lent. In this celebration, many people throw flour at their friends. The Huli Festival is celebrated on March 31 in India. People play jokes on one another and smear colors on one another celebrating the arrival of Spring. So, no matter where you happen to be in the world on April 1, don't be surprised if April fools fall playfully upon you.

Source:http://www.april-fools.us/history-april-fools.htm

Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet), Public Holiday in Indonesia, Sri Lanka & India, 9 Mar 2009

Mawlid (Eid Milad an Nabi) “Birth of the Prophet” is a term used to refer to the observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad which occurs in Rabi' al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. The origins of the observance can be traced back to the Fatimid dynasty in eleventh century Egypt, four centuries after the death of Muhammad as a Shia ruling class festival.

History

The earliest accounts for the observance of Mawlid can be found in eighth-century Mecca, when the house in which Muhammad was born was transformed into a place of prayer by Al-Khayzuran (mother of Harun al-Rashid, the fifth and most famous Abbasid caliph). Public celebrations of the birth of Muhammad did not occur until four centuries after his death. It was originally a festival of the Shia ruling class, not attended by the common people, with the first official Mawlid celebrations occurring in Egypt towards the end of the eleventh century. The Fatimids, who were descendants of Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah, celebrated the birth of Muhammad as well as his daughter Fatimah, her husband Ali, and the ruling Fatimid caliph. The early celebrations included elements of Christian and Sufic influence, with animal sacrifices and torchlight processions along with public sermons and a feast. The celebrations occurred during the day, in contrast to modern day observances, with the Fatimid ruler playing a key role in the ceremonies. Emphasis was given to the Ahl al-Bayt with presentation of sermons and recitations of the Qur'an. The event also featured the award of gifts to officials in order to bolster support for the ruling caliph.

The first public celebrations by Sunnis took place in twelfth-century Syria, under the rule of Nur ad-Din. Though there is no firm evidence to indicate the reason for the adoption of the Shi'ite festival by the Sunnis, some theorise the celebrations took hold to counter Christian influence in places such as Spain and Morocco. The practice was briefly halted by the Ayoubides when they came to power, and it became an event confined to family circles. It regained status as an official event again in 1207 when it was re-introduced by Muzaffar ad-din, the brother-in-law of Saladin, in Arbil, a town near Mosul, Iraq.

 The practice spread throughout the Muslim world, assimilating local customs, to places such as Cairo, where folklore and Sufic practices greatly influenced the celebrations. By 1588 it had spread to the court of Murad III, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. In 1910, it was given official status as a national festival throughout the Ottoman Empire. Today it is an official holiday in many parts of the world.

Observances

Milad Procession in India.		Typical Mawlid Gathering in Kerala India.

Where Mawlid is celebrated in a carnival manner, large street processions are held and homes or mosques are decorated. Charity and food is distributed, and stories about the life of Muhammad are narrated with recitation of poetry by children. Scholars and poets celebrate by reciting Qaṣīda al-Burda Sharif, the famous poem by 13th century Arabic Sufi Busiri.

Mawlid is celebrated in most Muslim countries, and in other countries where Muslims have a presence, such as India, Britain, and Canada. Saudi Arabia is the only Muslim country where Mawlid is not an official public holiday, but some elite Hijazi families have revived the mawlid there. Participation in the ritual celebration of popular Islamic holidays is seen as an expression of the Islamic revival.

Among non-Muslim countries, India is noted for its Mawlid festivities. The relics of the Muhammed are displayed after the morning prayers in the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir at Hazratbal shrine, on the outskirts of Srinagar. Shab-khawani night-long prayers held at the Hazratbal shrine are attended by thousands.

During Pakistan's Mawlid celebration, the national flag is hoisted on all public buildings, and a 31 gun salute in the federal capital and a 21 gun salute at the provincial headquarters are fired at dawn. The cinemas show religious rather than secular films on 11th and 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal.

Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mawlid#Observances