According to *Russia Today*, the Arab world celebrates Mother's Day today as an annual occasion to honor mothers and their role in society.
**How Did the Idea of Mother's Day Come About?**
اضافة اعلان
It is said that the celebration of Mother's Day dates back to ancient times, where the Egyptians honored women, especially mothers. Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs show celebrations dedicated to mothers, with the goddess Isis at the forefront, symbolizing motherhood and care.
This tradition continued in Greek and Roman cultures, where similar celebrations were held in March, marking the beginning of spring as a symbol of life and renewal.
In modern times, American activist Anna Jarvis played a key role in establishing Mother's Day. She organized the first official celebration in 1908 in memory of her mother and continued her campaign until it was officially recognized as a national holiday in the United States in 1914. The celebration was set for the second Sunday of May each year. However, Jarvis later became disillusioned due to merchants exploiting the day and turning it into a commercial occasion.
In the Arab world, the idea of Mother's Day is attributed to Egyptian journalist Mustafa Amin, who proposed it in 1943 and later reaffirmed the idea. The suggestion came after a mother visited his office and shared her story of dedicating her life to raising her children, only to be abandoned by them as they grew older. Amin was deeply moved by her story and published an article suggesting that a special day should be dedicated to celebrating mothers. After public discussions, March 21st was chosen to be Mother's Day.
**Variations in Celebration Dates Worldwide**
The dates for celebrating Mother's Day differ from country to country based on local customs and traditions. Some of the notable dates include:
- **March 21**: Most Arab countries, coinciding with the beginning of spring.
- **Second Sunday of May**: United States, Germany, Canada, and many European countries.
- **Fourth Sunday of Lent (March)**: United Kingdom and Ireland.
- **October 3**: Argentina.
Mother's Day in both the Arab and Western worlds is characterized by giving gifts, cards, and flowers to mothers, as well as organizing special events to honor exemplary mothers. Additionally, the occasion is used for launching charitable campaigns to support mothers in need.
(*Russia Today*)
