Lamu to host 20,000 Muslims

Lamu Island expects a tourism boom this week when more than 20,000 Muslims congregate for the Maulidi celebrations starting Monday.

The narrow alleys of the historic town and World Heritage Site will, for five days, come alive as pilgrims from all over the world take part in the fete.

Maulidi, the most revered event in the Islamic calendar in East and Central Africa, will this year mark 121 years, as will the Riyadha Mosque, which hosts the event.

Maulidi falls in the month of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday when the faithful chant his praises and recall his life story.

Organising committee coordinator Muhdhar Khitamy said the rising number of pilgrims each year gave true meaning to the celebrations and boosted Lamu’s image.

Special favour

The celebrations will honour Habib Swaleh Jamalillayl, who staged the first Maulidi 120 years ago at Riyadha.

As a young Muslim scholar, he pursued the Islamic religion to the level of Habib, a title used as an alternative to Sayyid or Shariff, who are revered descendants of Prophet Muhammad. Sayyid means master while Shariffs are believed to be held in special favour by the prophet.

Habib Swaleh, born of an Arab father and a Comorian mother, is said to have preferred living in Lamu and, in launching Maulidi, he pioneered an event that completely transforms the usually conservative lifestyle of Lamu residents for a week.

The celebrations end a day after the pilgrims visit the tomb of Habib Swaleh at Langoni Muslim cemetery.

The Maulidi festival has been sustained over the years by Muslim scholars and religious leaders who have effectively interpreted the ideals of Habib Swaleh.

His successors — Sayyid Ahmad Badawy, Habib Aidarus, Shariff Abdulrahman Khitamy and now Shariff Hussein Badawy — have continued with efforts to strengthen Islam in Lamu.

The festival opens today with Quran recitation and memorisation at the Islamic Centre.

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