The historical Masjid Raya of Medan, North Sumatra in Indonesia, has seen in some big and successful events this year 2002, from Eid ul Fitr, pictured above, to the the Commemoration of the Birth of the Holy Prophet of Islam (SAW).

For the celebrations of Mawled Nabi (SAW) on 27th and 28th May 2002, the Ladies of the Masjid [pictured below], who are mostly of West Sumatran/ Minang/ Padang Cultural Ethnic Group, prepared special "masakan Padang" [famous Padang cooking] for the catering and for feeding the orphans.

Preparation of "Masakan Padang"
The process of extraction of the coconut milk from the coconut, called "santan" in Bahasa Indonesia.

Preparation of "Masakan Padang"
The process of extraction of the coconut milk from the coconut, called "santan" in Bahasa Indonesia.

The food prepared was "Lemang Pulut" which is made from coconut milk poured over rice cooked slowly inside a banana leaf placed inside bamboo. The pulut rice is special rice that does not expand whilst cooking. The bamboos are placed over an open fire [pictured below] and turned until fully cooked after 3 or 4 hours.

Preparation of "Masakan Padang"
The "lumut" rice is placed inside the banana leaf in the bamboo.

Preparation of "Masakan Padang"
The contents of the bamboo are cooked over 3-4 hours.

The Ladies' cooking is very delicious and most welcome on the occasion of the Birth of Nabi Muhammad (SAW). Spanning two days, the gathering at Masjid Raya was led by the Imam and there was also a beautiful Qur'an recitation.

The Masjid Raya community members intently listened and happily received the "Lemang Pulut" which was handed out amongst the people and children, whilst they remembered our Holy Prophet (SAW) and the joyous occasion of his (SAW) birth. 

Small parcels of the delicious "Lemang Pulut" were also given out to be taken home to those community members who were unable to attend.