RI MUSLIMS OBSERVE PROPHET BIRTH WITH DIFFERENT RITUALS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Jan 14 (Antara) - The Indonesian Muslims across the country, on Tuesday, commemorated the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad with different rituals and offerings, hoping to seek blessings from God with the prophet's intercession.          The rituals included processions such as the horse cart march, decorated vehicle parades, and 'Baayun Anak', a ceremony where the parents place their babies on swings to mark their presence on earth.          All of these rituals are an acculturation of local cultures and religious values.          The Prophet Muhammad was born on the twelfth day of Rabiul Awal, which is the third month of the Higera year. The date Tuesday, January 14, 2014, coincided with the prophet's birthday, Rabiul Awal 14, 1435 Higera.          Thousands of Muslims in the Madiun District, East Java, observed the prophet's birthday at the Mediun City Square. The ceremony presented 'Gunungan Jaler and Gunungan Estri', which are Jaler and Estri offerings, as part of the 'Grebeg Maulud' or the Prophet Muhammad's birthday ceremony.          The locals believe that they will be blessed after obtaining some of the offerings. Therefore, after the ceremony they jostled with each other to obtain their share of the offerings.          They had congregated at the square since early morning. They were prepared to face any kind of situation in order to obtain a share of the offerings, which comprised the local produce such as fruits. Some even got trampled and had to be given medical treatment.          They believed that obtaining a part of the offerings will invite good fortune and prosperity.