Every practicing Muslims know the phrase called "salawat", written in Arabic as "صلى الله عليه وسلم" meaning "peace be upon him" as the one to be uttered upon hearing the name of Muhammad, the last phophet of Islam.
In fact for Muslims, they are specifically ordered by Allah to salute his prophets:
In the translation of the meanings of the Qur'an in Surah 33 entitled Al-Ahzab (The Confederates), ayah (verse) 56:"Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect."—Al-Ahzab
And as a remembrance of the prophet, although not specifically required for all Muslims, many around the world celebrate the birth anniversary of Muhammad SAW with a modest celebration called Mawlid (Milad an-Nabi) or better known as Maulidur Rasul by Muslims in Malaysia. The specific date this year was 26th of February 2010, or the 12th day of Islamic month of Rabiul awwal.
WIKIPEDIA FACTS: Do you know that the first observance of Mawlid was back in the eight century in Mecca, and the first public celebration took place in Syria during the twelfth century, or about four centuries after the living period of the Muhammad SAW?
Like in many places around the country, Balik Pulau wasn't left in its own common procession walk by hundreds in groups representing respective organisations or residential units:
All three local ADUN YB Dato' Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya, YB Hj Muhamad Farid Hj Saad and YB Syed Amerruddin Dato Hj Syed Ahmad were observed leading the pack last Saturday morning beginning 8:30am along Jalan Balik Pulau starting from Padang Kongsi to Masjid Daerah Barat Daya al-Mokhtar in a walk about 2-km in distance:
3 upehs: