Fall Writing Frenzy 2021 Submission {Resource}
I am once again participating in the 2021 Fall Writing Frenzy contest with my 150 word, short story entry ‘THE RETURN OF MAWLID’ below.
What is Fall Writing Frenzy? It is a contest put together by Kaitlyn Sanchez, with the help of Lydia Lukidis, and the goal is to challenge writers to write something different. Plus it will connect contest winners with established literary professionals. If selected, a generous donor will critique a work of choice.
Mawlid Al Nabi will be on October 18th and is the celebration of the Prophet Mohammed’s (pbuh) birthday. The exact day when it will occur is based on a lunar calendar, so a moon is sometimes associated with Islamic holidays. This is the photo I choose for my prompt.
It is not celebrated by all Muslims and only a few countries recognize the day. In Libya, it was a national holiday, with processions of drums through the streets, homes full of families visiting each other in their finest wear and Quran contests in the mosque. Mawlid was not celebrated for four years during the Libyan revolution but has since started up again.
To create your own khamsa centerpiece to celebrate Mawlid, visit Mawlid Al Nabi Khamsa Centerpiece {Tutorial}.
THE RETURN OF MAWLID by Koloud Tarapolsi Mawlid has returned Hustle bustle Gone for four years We had to step aside To fight yet another revolution Time for new beginnings Swish swash cleaned the windows To greet neighbors Who have been hidden from satellites Walk through the kitchen of aunts Mish mash grape leaves hand rolled Layers as tight as Abu Farrah’s mustache Laughter reminisced with the walls Wore our finest white long robes Sway swoon To repeat the nasheed While the warm sea breeze Reminded us of what we fought for String lights overheard Fizzle fazzle above them fireworks Green, yellow, red sparkles not bombs Fearlessly lit up the night sky Words spoken as sweet as honey Wham bam beat the drums A khamsa proudly displayed Joyous our celebrations have returned Sing in tenor, baritone, bass Ameen ameen Shower praise on the Prophet To help cure our sick soul The moon crescent smiled back in peace
(*satellites are what Libyans called Mumar Gaddafi’s spies, *nasheed is a work of vocal music that is either sung a cappella or with instruments, according to a particular style or tradition within Islam)
