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- Away from the Mosque of Seyyid Badawi a large fairgrounds displays the tents of many Sufi orders. In the middle is a field covered with the remains of sugar cane as families and groups of friends rest and drink tea.
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- The tents of each Sufi Tariq, or Order, are filled with performers and religious leaders singing religious songs as adherents dance in meditative dances. The most famous of singers come from across the middle east and Tariqs from as far away as Iraq and Jordan are represented.
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- The amount of sound pouring out of each tent is hard to fathom as each tries to project their music as far as possible. Egypt’s biggest Moulid is that of “Sayyid Badawi”, held in Tanta, in the Nile Delta. Usually takes place during October after the crops are sold.
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- A few tents are placed around the Masjid of Seyyid Badawi where Qur’an recitations and sermons by important scholars from al-Azhar are delivered. The streets between the fairground and the mosque are lined with vendors selling paraphernalia, and sweets, and annual supplies for the farmers that arrive, flush with money after selling their crops.
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- In the corner of the Sayyid Badawi mosque is a black stone with two footprints that is traditionally believed to be the imprint of Mohammed. Pilgrims lean forward to kiss the glass and wipe the moisture from the shrine.
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- Many families from the surrounding Nile Delta villages some with their children and make the festival a annual holiday. Long after the children fall asleep the adults are still out participating in activities.
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- The Mosque of Seyyid Badawi doubles as a place of worship and a place of rest for pilgrims. At night the floor is covered by those that are sleeping, until it is time for prayer or a group might use part of the mosque for zhiker.
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- Sheikhs and leaders of Sufi Tariqs share holy oils with pilgrims in the Seyyid Badawi Mosque.
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- Residents of Tanta and traveling Mawlidis set up stalls and fairs around the city, selling special sweets, sandwiches, and fair food.
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- Groups of kids roam between magicians, bumper cars, and ferris wheels while oddities such as “The Electric Woman” attract them into show tents for a few pounds.
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- Businesses,like this sports club and cell phone companies, take the chance to advertise to the large audience.
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- Away from the Mosque of Seyyid Badawi a large fairgrounds displays the tents of many Sufi orders. In the middle is a field covered with the remains of sugar cane as families and groups of friends rest and drink tea.
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- The weeklong festival winds down fast and tents are disassembled early Friday morning. The Moulidis then pack it all up and many head to other smaller festivals around the Delta, some are just packed away until next year.
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- When the festivals become too much, many people simply lay out on the mat of sugar cane or find comfortable spots in tents and mosques, the community atmosphere is palpable and pilgrims share generously.
The festival of Seyyid Badawi (Ahmad al-Badawi) is one of the largest annual gatherings in Egypt, drawing pilgrims from throughout the Middle East and doubling the size of the town, located in the Nile delta.
The week-long celebration encompasses the birthday of Sufi Saint Seyyid Badawi, the celebration of the harvest, and a carnival atmosphere. Sufi Orders set up tents where their adherents can gather and listen to religious singers and join in group dances. While fair food? springs up along side roads, the massive Seyyid Badawi Mosque fills with pilgrims.
The Shaykh Ahmad Al-Badawi was a Muslim saint and founder of the Badawiyyah Sufi order who died in Tanta, Egypt in 1276 AD.
Moulid festivals are common across the Muslim world; however, because of their Sufi and traditional origins, some conservative sects consider them idolatrous.
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