Türkiye commemorates Prophet’s birthday with nationwide celebrations
Annual celebrations highlight Prophet Muhammad’s message of morality, unity, and compassion
ISTANBUL, Türkiye (MNTV) — Türkiye is marking Mawlid al-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, with illuminated mosques, communal prayers, charitable activities, and cultural events that emphasize the country’s Islamic traditions and family-centered values.
Falling on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, Mawlid al-Nabi—also known as Mevlid Kandili—is observed with nationwide programs coordinated by the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet).
Diyanet President Ali Erbaş announced that the Prophet’s birth would be commemorated not just for a week but throughout the year under the theme “Our Prophet and Family Ethics.”
Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Erbaş said the Prophet’s morals should serve as a guide for Muslims today, stressing that the greatest need of the era is to transform Islamic ethical principles into a shared code of life.
He warned that wars, occupations, and moral crises represented a “modern ignorance,” urging believers to embrace the Prophet’s message of balance between the material and spiritual worlds.
“With the approval of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, this year Mawlid al-Nabi will be observed as a yearlong commemoration,” Erbaş noted.
The nationwide and international programs will include educational seminars, cultural exhibitions, competitions, blood donation drives, and tree-planting campaigns, with a particular focus on children, youth, and families.
Highlighting the centrality of family, Erbaş called it humanity’s “most vital institution” and the first school of faith and values.
He cautioned against the erosion of family life due to rapid social change and harmful trends spread through digital platforms, underscoring the need for stronger efforts to safeguard family structures.
Erbaş also reminded that this year marks the 1,500th anniversary of the Prophet’s birth, describing him as “the greatest manifestation of divine mercy” who brought justice, compassion, and guidance to a world plagued by ignorance and oppression.
He said humanity’s salvation lies in adopting the Prophet’s example as a model of morality, justice, and mercy in both personal and social life.
First Lady Emine Erdoğan also extended greetings on the occasion, praying that the blessed night brings abundance, peace, and unity.
“On this sacred night that spreads light in hearts, I pray that all prayers are accepted and I congratulate the Mawlid of our country and the Islamic world,” she wrote in her message.
Across Türkiye, mosques such as Istanbul’s Suleymaniye Mosque will host special prayers and recitations of the Mevlid, a traditional poem recounting the Prophet’s birth.
Many faithful will also participate in charitable acts, distributing food and sweets to neighbors and those in need, reinforcing the spirit of compassion and community central to the celebration.
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