Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day in Japan falls on the second Sunday in May. It was first commemorated in the Showa Period as the birthday of the Empress Kojun, mother of Emperor Akihito. As in many countries it was formalised when the Imperial Women's Union was established. Traditionally carnations given as presents.

In Nepal, Mata Tirtha Aunshi or Mother Pilgrimage fortnight is the equivalent celebration held during the new moon in April.

Iran celebrated mother's day on the birthday of Fatimah, Prophet Mohamad's daughter. After the revolution and with curtailment of the feminist movement, the practice changed.

However in most Arab countries, mother's day is celebrated on the 21 March.

Despite this celebration originating in the United States, China embraces the practice as it goes in line with the country's traditional ethics of respect of the elderly and filial piety to parents.

During its communist era, Czech Republic celebrated Women's Day until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Since then Mother's Day, Valentines Day and Womens Days popular.

Indonesia celebrated Hari Ibu nationally on December 22 when the first Indonesian Womens Congress was established.

Mother's Day in Thailand is celebrated on the birthday of Queen Sirikit, Queen of Thailand.

I don't remember celebrating Mother's Day in any particular form in Kuala Lumpur, until perhaps when the children began bringing home self-made greeting cards from school. Now it has become a booming part of a lifestyle industry for florists, greeting card manufacturers, restaurants and the like.