Today is a special day – Mother’s Day. It’s a celebration of the infinitely powerful women who have raised us, loved us unconditionally, comforted us in times of need, and nurtured us in a sometimes daunting world.
Celebrated specifically by Arabs on this day, the reason why this special day is marked on March 21 traces back to the time of the pharaohs. In ancient Egypt, it was common to have festivities dedicated to honoring women and the multifaceted roles of motherhood. One of these annual festivals was held on the first day of Spring to celebrate Isis, a goddess symbolizing motherhood, new life, and fertility. This tradition, marked by floating boats adorned with flowers around Egyptian cities, was later embraced by the Greeks and Romans.
But as those traditions faded, we fast-forward to modern times, where the origins of Mother’s Day in the Arab world can be traced back to Egypt in 1943. It was set in motion by journalist Mustafa Amin, who first mentioned the day in his book Smiling America. However, it wasn’t until 10 years later that he sent an official request to the government and launched a campaign for its recognition.
Amin took particular interest in the topic after a woman requested to meet him at his newspaper, and told him about how she raised her son as a single parent and paid for his education until he was able to become a doctor and bought a house to get married in. Sadly, she confessed that after his marriage, her son ceased visiting her, leading to psychological distress as she found herself without anyone to care for her. Empathizing deeply with this mother’s plight, Amin sought to honor her and all mothers regardless of their circumstances. He initiated an official request to the government and embarked on a campaign for recognition. Eventually, his efforts bore fruit when then-President Gamal Abdel Nasser approved the celebration of mothers on March 21, a decision echoed by the rest of the Arab world. Much like the Ancient Egyptians’ celebration of women, it was aptly decided that this day would align with the first day of spring.
It’s intriguing to note that when Amin was arrested on accusations of spying for the US, the Egyptian government opted to rename the day as Family Day. However, they soon received numerous letters from Egyptian mothers expressing their disagreement with the decision. As a result, the holiday was promptly restored to its original name, Mother’s Day.
On this Mother’s Day, much like Amin, we pause to honor not only our own mothers but also to stand in solidarity with those who are enduring immense suffering— particularly the mothers, and those soon-to-be, in Gaza and Sudan. These extraordinary women exemplify the essence of motherhood amidst unimaginable suffering. They have faced profound loss, mourning the children they brought into this world with such hope and love. They navigate the challenges of childbirth without the comfort and resources many take for granted, demonstrating unparalleled strength. And for those who have had their children torn from their arms, and for the children grieving the loss of their mothers, our thoughts and compassion are with them today.
Head Image: Gueorgui Pinkhassov/Magnum Photos
