LAHORE
The nation celebrated Eid Milad-un-Nabi on Monday to commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) with traditional religious zeal and fervour amidst tight security arrangements.
The believers held large number of festivities and celebrations paying homage to the last messenger of The Almighty who brought the last divine religion Islam and last divine book, Quran to the mankind.
A number of Seerat conferences and meetings were held, and processions were taken out which marched through their routes eulogising the Prophet of Islam (PBUH). Besides, a number of gatherings for Na'at Khwani, Qirat, Qawwali and Na'atia Mushaira were held. Religious scholars in their special sermons highlighted the significance of the occasion and asked the people to follow the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to achieve success in the life and the life after death.
Like the previous year, the Eid Milad-un-Nabi was observed this year, too, as Namoos-e-Risalat Day, (Prophet’s honour Day) in response to the western conspiracies committing organised blasphemies against the Prophet of Islam by repeated publication of profane sketches specially by European media and the production of blasphemous movies, besides the conspiracies by certain lobbies in the country to amend Blasphemy laws.
All the celebrations on the day reflected a renewed enthusiasm towards protecting the honour of the Prophet (PBUH) and renewed zeal to follow his Sunnah and becoming better Muslims, as the speakers and prayer leaders emphasised the need to follow the Sunnah in letter and spirit to counter the pagans’ conspiracies.
The day began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in provincial capitals while special prayers were offered for the security, solidarity and prosperity of the country in particular and Mulsim Ummah in general.In Lahore, the central Milad-un-Nabi procession under the aegis of Markazi Milad Committee was taken out from railway station in the afternoon which passed through its traditional route via Australia Chowk, Branderth road, Railway road, Chowk Dalgran, Gowalmandi, Mayo hospital, Anarkali, Lohari gate, Bhati gate, and culminated at Data Darbar. Besides, many other processions were taken out in different parts of the city. The government did not suspend the cell phone services despite strong rumours of suspending the service for entire day.
Prior to the procession, a grand meeting was held which was addressed by prominent figures from all walks of life. The meeting was inaugurated by committee president Malik Aftab Rabbani, while Justice (r) Dr Munir Mughal presided over the proceedings. Minister of Azad Kashmir Nasir Dar inaugurated the proceedings by hoisting national flag on the occasion while Provincial Minister Bilal Yasin, Adviser to AJK Prime Minister Ghulam Muhiyuddin Diwan, Sahabzada Hayat Sultan from Balochistan, Taimur Sultan from Sindh, Sardar Janam Singh and Bhagat Lal from minorities, renowned actor Mustafa Qureshi, former judges of Lahore High Court and elite of the town were also present.
The participants of the ceremony were sprinkled with rose water and flower petals by an aeroplane besides sabeels of water and juices were set up along its route to facilitate the participants. A group of Na'at Khwans recited Na'ats while volunteers set free thousands of pigeons and balloons in the air which presented a delightful sight.
In view of the growing incidents of terrorism, the authorities made strict security arrangements for the participants of the central procession in particular, and for the masses in general, as thousands of police, special forces and Rangers personnel were guarding sensitive areas. The procession marched through Australia Chowk, Branderth Road, Dil Mohammad road, Mochi gate, Shah Alam Chowk, Gowalmandi, Akhbar Market, mausoleum of Qutub-ud-Din Aibak, Circular road, Anarkali, Lohari gate and Bhati gate before culminating at Data Darbar where the leaders addressed the participants.
It was a public holiday and all business centres and offices were closed. Newspapers brought out special editions while electronic media aired special programmes to highlight the importance of the occasion. Mosques and all important government and private buildings were tastefully decorated. Groups of volunteers and market committees decorated their own markets/houses and surroundings. Children and youths erected the clay replica of desert and mountains of the Arab peninsula where the divine message was first dawned on the Prophet (PBUH).
However, several Ulema and the citizens concerned objected to the playing of loud music at the replica of Arab hill at countless number of places in the city. Complaining to the pressmen a number of citizens said that sanctity of the occasion was violated with the airing of loud Indian music by the people which created scenes at various places but no untoward incident was reported. They appealed to the government to check this ugly practice in order to avoid law and order and ensure sanctity of the occasion which demanded completely solemn and religious attitude towards the festivities since the Holy Prophet (PBUH) dissuaded the believers to indulge into music and dance.
They warned that all those un-Islamic practices were held despite the pledge by various leaders that all practices that hurt Islamic principles and religious feelings of other schools of thought would be banned from the Eid Milad celebrations. They complained that taking urge with the loud Indian music hooligans and uncouth youths teased women and girls passing by seeing the clay models and decorations in various areas. Policemen remained helpless to stop such culprits despite complaints.
Special security arrangements were made by the district administration to maintain law and order and along the route of the procession. Volunteers of bomb disposal squad and ambulance units remained stand by to meet any emergency while units of Rangers and reserve police were also on alert. Besides the central procession several other small processions were also taken out in the city to mark the occasion which merged into the central procession. Participants of the procession recited Na'ats and Qawwalis along the route. A meeting was also held at Data Darbar after the culmination of the procession.
On the eve of Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), a grand Milad Conference was held by Tehrik Minhajul Quran (TMQ) which was specially addressed by its chief Dr Tahirul Qadri who had just arrived from Canada two days ago for this purpose. It was participated by noted scholars and Na'at Khwans from across the country.
The participants were offered dinner for which hundreds of goats were slaughtered. Dr Tahirul Qadri highlighted the significance of the occasion for the promotion of Islamic values and message of love, justice and peace. He also castigated the western media and intellectuals for committing gross blasphemy of the Prophet in the name of the freedom of expression.