Egypt Celebrates Prophet’s Birthday as Cost-of-living Crisis Mounts

Sufi worshippers perform “Zikr,” a ritual in which they dance to Islamic songs to release stress and connect with Allah and the souls of their ancestors. Al-Sherif, Egypt, Oct. 4, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Amid debt and cost-of-living crises, Muslims gather ahead of Mawlid al-Nabi, the celebration of the birth of the Prophet Mohammed in the village of Al-Sherif, Egypt about 120 kilometers south of Cairo, Oct. 4, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Some of the worshipers await a charity dinner as they listen to speeches in honor of the holiday in Al-Sherif, Egypt on Oct. 4, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Ritual dance marks the holiday as the Egyptian pound hit a record low against the US dollar and prices of households good rise in Al-Sherif, Egypt on Oct. 4, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Some worshipers attend a holiday dinner in Cairo while others rely on humanitarian aid to celebrate the holiday, on Oct. 7, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Traditionally, Muslims buy special sweets for their families and friends on the occasion of Mawlid al-Nabi, in Cairo, on Oct. 8, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

These sugary holiday treats, often shaped like dolls or horses, are popular gifts for children in Cairo, Oct. 8, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Ibrahim El-Khateb, a grocer who has sold Mawlid el-Nabi sweets for over three decades, says, “The sugar doll cost 10 Egyptian pounds (about $0.50) last year, but this year it’s for 50 ($2.50).” In Cairo, on Oct. 8, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Shopkeepers say rising prices for holiday luxuries have led to falling profits in Cairo on Oct. 8. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Sheikh Mostafa Zaghlol, a prominent leader of a Sufi sect, says, “Through our practices, we try to spread love and acceptance and cope with daily stress.” In Cairo, Oct. 7, 2022. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)