Praising voices are carried out all over Port Said Street, food stands are lined up next to each other, and nasheed singers gather in the circles designated for them, to celebrate the birth memory of Sayeda Zainab, during its closing night, on the other side some women distribute sherbet in celebration of the birth of the Lady.
Yesterday evening, Tuesday, was the closing night of the Moulid (birthday anniversary), which is held yearly in the vicinity of Sayeda Zainab Mosque in Cairo.
The celebration is held in the memory of Sayeda Zainab’s birthday, the daughter of Imam Ali Ibn Abi-Taleb, and Prophet Muhammad’s granddaughter; the mausoleum and mosque of Sayeda Zainab are considered two of the most famous among those for Ahl Al-Bayt (family of Prophet Muhammad) in the Sayeda Zainab neighbourhood in Cairo Governorate, her admirers call her "Mother of the Infirm" as she used to help the poor and the infirm.
Some distance before the usual stop at Sayeda Zainab neighbourhood, the microbus driver stopped. He told us he cannot go further; heavy crowds and congestion because of the celebration hindered the cars’ movement.
The driver dropped us at Abu Al-Rish, around 15-minutes’ walk to the square, the road was crowded with visitors coming to celebrate on the same day or days before, from Cairo and different governorates; the people’s numbers have been increasing starting midday.
Hanan Khaled, 30 years old, one of the visitors from Minya governorate, comes every year to celebrate, “my little daughter, sister-in-law, and I came to celebrate despite the distance, we’re attached to this religious heritage, we keep these rituals all year long until we come back to the mosque.”
As for Yusriya Mohamed, 50 years old and one of the visitors, comes from Dar Al-Salam district every year to celebrate in the mosque, “I have so many memories in the mosque, I spent my whole life here, more than 28 years; I go to the Moulid and buy chickpeas and sweets, I feel at peace here.”
The same applies to Rushdi Mohamed, 51 years old, who comes from Al-Abageyah district, explained that not a year goes by without coming to the Moulid, for the spirituality he feels as soon as he approaches the mosque.
Food tents spread out all over the square, and despite the presence of meat dishes in the past years, this year’s meals consisted mostly of “bread and falafel”, “vegetables stuffed with rice”, and “chicken wings”. Attendees attributed this to the rise of meat prices, especially during the recent weeks, casting a heavy shadow over the celebration.
The road leading to the mosque was filled with Sayeda Zainab admirers, whereas the sweets displayed in the stalls were expensive, and Omar Yunus, sweet vendor near the mosque, attributed this to the increase in sugar prices.
He clarified that chickpea with shell price ranges between 60 to 70 EGP, while peeled chickpea ranges between 100 to 110 EGP, and peanuts and sweets 80 EGP. Omar sells all kinds of sweets, like chickpeas, sesame, and Turkish delights.
Ahmed Sulaiman, 25 years old and a sweets vendor, also confirms that the Moulid sweets’ prices are too expensive, due to the increase in sugar prices, sending customers away without buying anything.
The celebration started in the evening, with various activities like Tahtib “stick-dancing”, singing, circles of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), praising, and chanting.
Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Tuhami, the Head of Egyptian Association of Religious Hymns and Litanies, hosted a concert concluding the celebration, leading to the increase in the crowds during the evening, especially after Al-Tuhami’s absence from the celebration activities for many years.
