Mevlid Kandili – Birth of the Prophet Muhammed
Mevlid Kandili is one of the five holy nights on the Muslim calendar called kandil. This night commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammed. In the Muslim world, the week preceding Mevlid Kandili is one of prayer, celebration and reflection. The focus is on the value of humanity and compassion, mercy and justice, patience, fortitude and generosity. According to Muslim belief, each of these inform and enlighten individual life and social connections. The Prophet Muhammed is the guiding light and the keeper of morality, providing a role model for Muslims to follow.
Those seeking forgiveness for their sins must perform rekat four times. Rekat are the prayers Muslims perform five times a day, accompanied by a series of actions proscribed by Muslim scholars. It’s preferable if the person knows the prayers and movements by heart. Those praying for a particular purpose can have their wish granted provided they read the Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Koran, 40 times without cease, while standing.
This tradition of Mevlid Kandili goes back hundreds of years. Each year Turkish newspapers publish a piece on the meaning and importance of the night, as well as explaining how to pray. This often includes detailed instructions on what to say and how many times to say it, when using tespih, that is, Turkish worry beads. More recently, Turkey’s love affair with modern technology has been put to good use. It’s now possible to get meaningful and divine Mevlid Kandili inspirational messages to share with your friends via Whatsapp. Mevlid is only one of the kandili in the Muslim calendar. Learn about the others here.
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Planning to come to Istanbul? Here are my helpful tips for planning your trip to Turkey.
For FLIGHTS I like to use Kiwi.com.
Don’t pay extra for an E-VISA. Here’s my post on everything to know before you take off.
However E-SIM are the way to go to stay connected with a local phone number and mobile data on the go. Airalo is easy to use and affordable.
Even if I never claim on it, I always take out TRAVEL INSURANCE. I recommend Visitors Coverage.
I’m a big advocate of public transport, but know it’s not suitable for everyone all the time. When I need to be picked up from or get to Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport, I use one of these GetYourGuide website AIRPORT TRANSFERS.
ACCOMMODATION: When I want to find a place to stay I use Booking.com.
CITY TOURS & DAY TRIPS: Let me guide you around Kadikoy with my audio walking tour Stepping back through Chalcedon or venture further afield with my bespoke guidebook Istanbul 50 Unsung Places. I know you’ll love visiting the lesser-known sites I’ve included. It’s based on using public transport as much as possible so you won’t be adding too much to your carbon footprint. Then read about what you’ve seen and experienced in my three essay collections and memoir about moving to Istanbul permanently.
Browse the GetYourGuide website or Viator to find even more ways to experience Istanbul and Turkey with food tours, visits to the old city, evening Bosphorus cruises and more!
However you travel, stay safe and have fun! Iyi yolculuklar.
