Meelad Shareef the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Kerala, as it is elsewhere in the world. The entire month of Rabi’ al-Awwal, in which the Prophet was born, is marked by various ceremonies. Streets, shops, and houses are decorated with lamps and garlands. Every night, people gather in mosques to recite Moulid, eulogies in praise of the Prophet, in chorus. After the recitation, sweets such as halwa, dates, and coconut pieces are distributed among the attendees.
The Moulid, written by Shaikh Zainuddin the Senior, or Sharaf al-Anam by Shaikh Ahmad bin Qasim, is often recited. A Moulid is typically a panegyric text about Prophet Muhammad, blending prose and poetry, and is recited not only on his birthday but also on the anniversaries of Sufi saints or close relatives.
Children celebrate Meelad Shareef with great excitement. They take the lead in decorating and cleaning the streets. In the morning, students gather in their religious schools, called madrasas, which are decorated the previous day with colorful paper ornaments. A procession is organized by teachers, parents, and students, during which children recite Moulid verses, slogans, and poems praising the Prophet. As the procession moves through the streets, people and house owners welcome them by distributing payasam or sweets. The children carry colored flags, usually green, symbolizing Muslim identity.
After the procession, Moulid is recited in the madrasa, followed by the serving of food, often coconut rice, to all participants. Sometimes, students take food home to share with their families. In the evening, elders organize similar processions in bazaars, with Moulid recitations continuing in homes, where the Mullah or house owner leads the recitation. This gathering takes place after evening prayers, and traditional dishes such as pathiri with chicken curry are served.
