Erbil Glows with the Spirit of the Prophet’s Birthday: A Festival of Faith, Culture, and Coexistence

Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities, has once again transformed into a stage of spirituality and celebration as residents marked the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (Mawlid al-Nabawi).

A City with Historic Roots in Mawlid Celebrations

Erbil is often described as the birthplace of organized Mawlid celebrations in the Islamic world. The tradition dates back to 1207 CE, when its Ayyubid ruler, Muzaffar al-Din Gökböri, hosted a grand commemoration with torchlit processions, food distributions, and poetry recitals. Today, that heritage remains deeply woven into the city’s cultural identity.

Streets Alive with Color and Devotion

Near the historic citadel and in the heart of Erbil’s bazaar, streets were lit with banners and decorative lights bearing the Prophet’s name ﷺ. Families, traders, and visitors shared sweets and drinks, while mosques and Sufi lodges resonated with Qur’an recitations and devotional chants in Kurdish, Arabic, and Turkmen.

This year’s festivities drew larger crowds than ever. Thousands gathered around the citadel, where the Kurdistan Regional Government distributed sweets, decorated the site with religious banners, and honored retired clerics and outstanding students of Islamic studies.

Spirituality Meets Social Solidarity

The city’s Sufi orders, particularly the Qadiri and Naqshbandi, continue to preserve spiritual traditions passed down across centuries. At the same time, the celebration has become a festival of solidarity: homes opened to neighbors and relatives, traditional sweets were offered to the needy, and children joined in popular chants, linking past traditions with present-day community life.

A Message of Unity from Kurdistan

The Kurdistan Region’s presidency and political parties marked the occasion with strong participation. The Mawlid is observed as a public holiday, with official ceremonies attended by leaders who issued messages of peace, unity, and coexistence. Their involvement reinforced the event’s role as both a spiritual celebration and a reflection of Kurdistan’s political and cultural identity.

More than a Religious Occasion

For Erbil, the Mawlid is not only a commemoration of the Prophet’s birth—it is a living symbol of cultural diversity and harmony. By blending faith, heritage, and social cohesion, the city projects itself as a hub of tolerance and shared values, while offering a model of peaceful coexistence in a region often marked by conflict