The streets of Old Salé renew their special celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday with a candle procession that blends honoring the royal family and the “Blessing of Muhammad,” two phrases that have appeared over centuries in historic buildings, blessing inscriptions, and continue in Sufi and popular circles representing the ongoing veneration of the Seal of the Prophets.

Khalid Belkabir, a candle maker and lawyer, told Hespress that “the city of Salé uniquely celebrates the Prophet’s birthday differently from other Moroccan cities, through the ‘Procession of the Candles,’ an event held during the Prophet’s birthday with twelve candles.”

He explained that his family, which supervises the making of the celebration candles, produces “candles made of wood, decorated with wax in various colors, under high royal patronage, with a history reaching 500 years.” He added, “My family decorates them every year with geometric shapes inspired by human heritage, including a candle symbolizing the king of the country, and the candle distinguished by ‘Blessing of Muhammad’ celebrating the blessing of the best of mankind. Our candles are deposited at the tomb of Abdullah bin Hassoun, previously at our large house, and two months before the event, they are redecorated anew, a work we do and recommend to our children and grandchildren.”

Mohamed El Haymar, a participant in the candle procession, represents a generational continuity preserving this celebration. He told Hespress, “This procession has characterized the city of Salé since ancient times,” adding, “Carrying candles was a task known among those who transported people by boats between the two cities Salé and Rabat. My father was among them, their treasurer, and founded their association.”

He continued, “Those working in maritime transport, due to their strong physique and ability to work in sun and cold, often carried these large candles. My grandfather was a candle carrier, as was my father. Although I do not work in boat transport, I work in commuting between the two cities by tram. I started carrying small candles, and my father passed away this year after I had carried the large candle with him for years. I continue in the procession after his death. To God belongs what He gives and takes.”

Regarding the history of this celebration, Abdelmajid Hassouni, the head of the “Al-Hassouni Sharifs,” said, “It has been customary every night of the Prophet’s birthday for Salé to celebrate with a candle procession for nearly five centuries, from the Saadian dynasty until today, with some periods when the celebration was not held, such as during the maritime jihad station at the decline of the Saadian state; but with the start of the Sharifian Alaouite dynasty, the procession began again, especially during the reign of Sultan Moulay Rachid.”

Hassouni explained that the celebration “continued until 1953 when His Majesty the late Mohammed V was exiled, and the nationalists decided not to celebrate any holiday.” He added, “During the reign of Ibn Arafah, the protectorate authorities wanted to celebrate the procession and summoned the Hassouni Sharifs, who conditioned the celebration on the return of King Mohammed V to his throne, which was met with the disdain of the protectorate’s controller.” He continued, “Despite that, the protectorate summoned some notables and ordered some candle makers to produce celebration candles, and all arrangements were made; but some Hassouni Sharifs met with resistance fighters and burned the candles a day before the procession, and it did not take place until His Majesty the late king returned victorious from exile.”