TRNC declares Wednesday, public holiday

Wednesday, September, 27 has been declared a public holiday in the TRNC and Turkiye to celebrate Mevlit Kandili, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.

Mevlit Kandili or Mawlid al-Nabi which is known as one of the most important days of the Islamic world to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad which will be observed on Tuesday night in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The Prophet Muhammad was born in the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, in A.D. 571.

All public offices and schools, for the exception of essential services will be closed on Wednesday due to the occasion.

The head of the TRNC’s Religious Affairs Directorate Ahmet Ünsal Kıbrıs Gazetesi issued a message to all Muslims residing in the country, wishing them a holy Mevlit Kandili.

***Mawlid, is the observance of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad which is commemorated in Rabi' al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. 12th Rabi' al-awwal is the accepted date among most of the Sunni scholars, while most Shia scholars regard 17th Rabi' al-awwal as the accepted date. Mevlid Kandili is celebrated every year 10-11 days earlier than the previous year.