Saturday, July 16, 2011

Day 290: Milad

OYLPA Day 290: Milad by klodhie
OYLPA Day 290: Milad, a photo by klodhie on Flickr.
From yesterday to today, one form of paying respect to another, the religiously-associated gatherings continue. Today's milad, a religious celebration usually performed as a gesture of gratitude by Muslims before joyous occasions like birthdays and weddings, was in thankfulness of an old family friend to give their first house-warming.

I've been to milads of different sorts my entire life, and I do love many aspects of them. The women and girls gather in simple but colorful Pakistani dress, heads lightly covered in respect. The singing of religious songs, melodies and words that have become engrained in my mind and on my lips after all these years of hearing the elders. The slight swaying of these colorful covered bodies, the sweet smiles with soundless "salaams." The remembrance of something and someone greater than us at this moment, the thankfulness of blessings bestowed, the du'as for health and happiness for those who are troubled, and all the while of course the melodies, the rhythm, the voices, the swaying.

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