Addis Ababa, August 25, 2026 (FMC) — In Ethiopia’s South Wollo Zone of the Amhara Region, Jemangus Mosque is once again drawing thousands of worshippers to a celebration deeply rooted in the country’s Islamic history, carrying forward the legacy of what is regarded as Ethiopia’s first Mawlid celebration.
The 1,501st Mawlid, commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad, is being observed at Jemangus Harima in a distinctive three-day celebration that has attracted more than 350,000 worshippers from different parts of the country.
For generations, Jemangus has remained a significant gathering place for Ethiopian Muslims during Mawlid, bringing together religious devotion, Islamic scholarship and strong traditions of community interaction.
The area is also renowned for its contribution to Islamic scholarship. Located in South Wollo, Jemangus has produced numerous Islamic scholars and served as a center for religious learning, including Qur’anic and Hadith studies and the study of Sharia.
The celebration is marked not only by collective prayers and other religious observances but also by a strong sense of community. Participants say the occasion provides an important opportunity to strengthen social ties, reconnect with fellow worshippers and preserve traditions passed down through generations.
The Mawlid tradition is likewise being celebrated with vibrancy elsewhere in South Wollo. In Dessie, worshippers are observing the occasion in the Shewaber area, where the celebration has continued for many years.
A communal meal has also been organized for people in need, reflecting the values of compassion, solidarity and mutual support associated with Mawlid.
The South Wollo Zone Culture, Tourism and Sport Department said preparations had been made to ensure that Mawlid is celebrated while preserving its religious values and longstanding traditions.
At Jemangus, the celebration carries a particular historical significance. As hundreds of thousands gather at a site associated with the beginning of Ethiopia’s Mawlid tradition, the annual observance serves as a living link between the country’s Islamic past and its present—keeping a centuries-old religious heritage alive through faith, scholarship, community and shared celebration.