PhotoFeed Contest - Portrait Photography Round 136 ~ Bring the Prophet's Birthday Meal to the Musalla

Hello....

In the PhotoFeed Portrait Photography Contest Round 136 hosted by @photofeed, I attempted to share a photo of bringing a meal to celebrate the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid) at a prayer room (musalla). The commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday (Maulid) in various regions of Aceh is always celebrated with reverence and togetherness. One tradition that persists to this day is bringing a meal to a prayer room (musalla) or mosque, as depicted in the photo I'm sharing.

This tradition is performed as a form of gratitude for the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and as a means of strengthening ties between residents. The dishes brought typically consist of rice, side dishes, traditional cakes, and fruit. All of the food is neatly arranged in a large container and then covered with brightly colored cloth, such as green and yellow, as a symbol of nobility and happiness.

Bringing the dishes to the prayer room (musalla) is not merely a routine, but an honor. Usually, the men or young men of the village carry the large dishes on their heads and accompany them to the prayer room. This action demonstrates the value of mutual cooperation and the community's spirit of togetherness in upholding religious traditions.

Upon arrival at the prayer room, the dishes are collected and prayed over by the imam or local religious leader. After the prayer, the food is distributed and enjoyed by the entire congregation without discrimination. This is a tangible manifestation of the value of brotherhood, where happiness and blessings are shared equally.

The tradition of bringing the Maulid dishes to the prayer room teaches the younger generation the importance of respecting the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), maintaining togetherness, and preserving meaningful Islamic culture. Even though times are constantly changing, this custom remains relevant as a symbol of the people's love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

That's all I can share for now. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you very much for reading this post. Thank you!