Posted 12 Jul 2010

Visitors to Egypt can help the residents of Luxor celebrate their patron sheikh Yussef Abu el-Haggag on July 28th and 29th.

The two-day event is called Moulid of Abu el-Haggag and is held every year so those teaching English in Africa could witness it.

Residents of Luxor commemorate the life of the Islamic cleric two weeks prior to Ramadan and the event is one of the region’s most important cultural festivals.

Visitors could see horse races, hear music, watch dancing and stick fights before large boats are paraded through the streets.

These boats represent the journey priests made from Karnak Temple to Luxor Temple each year along the canals. Excited adults and children now carry the boats through the streets accompanied by drums.

The Islamic cleric was born in Damascus in the 12th century. He later moved to Mecca before settling in Luxor where he is revered as their patron sheikh. The Luxor Temple is his resting place and the oldest mosque in the region.

Those teaching English in Egypt could attend and witness an important religious festival first-hand.
 

Category: Africa, Living Abroad