Ayşe Osmanoğlu, the daughter of Sultan Abdulhamid Han, narrates in her book titled 'Babam Abdulhamid' (My father Abdulhamid) “..During the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid Han, the oil lamp ceremony went as follows:
There would be a procession during the day to mark the birth of the Prophet ﷺ, followed by a visit to Hamidiye Camii which was built by Sultan Abdulhamid himself, where sugar and drinks were distributed amongst the soldiers.
In the evenings, Suleyman Çelebi's Mevlidi was recited in the Chambers, and cushions were placed for my father and the statesmen who would attend. There were many people, including the Sultan's private secretary who came to congratulate him on the Birth of the Prophet ﷺ.
Before the start of the Mawlid, my father would stand in the Small Hall, and Serasker Pasha was in lead, where he received the descendants of Damat Pasha and his gentlemen. Muezzins with beautiful voices would come in, recite the Qur'an and present their congratulations.
During the Mawlid ceremony, large silver trays of hard candy were brought by two cellarers, first presented to my father, then by turns to all the participants around the hall.
When the Mawlid ceremony was over, decorated boxes of sweets were gifted to all the guests. My father would then stand up, and when he did, everyone else also stood up out of respect and thanks. This is how the night of the blessed birth was spent...”
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