Muslims celebrating Eid Milad-un-Nabi with religious solemnity

I convey my warm greetings and best wishes to all our citizens on the auspicious occasion of Milad-un-Nabi – celebrated as the birthday of Prophet Mohammad.

More than 30,000 devotees offered afternoon prayers at the Hazratbal Shrine as part of the celebration of the Eid Milad-un-Nabi, officials said. “May this festival deepen the bond of brotherhood & compassion in society”, tweeted Modi, who is in Moscow on a two day visit. The AIMIM, Congress and Samajwadi Party have all demanded that Id-e-Milad should be declared as a dry day in respect of Prophet Mohammed Paigambar.

Various processions will commence with the offering of special prayers and salutations on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The process will continue throughout the day today and tomorrow.

The procession after passing through the main routes of the city culminated at Imami Gate. Muslims gathered in large numbers to recite special prayers in all the mosques.

In a similar way that Christians use Christmas as a way of learning and reflecting on Christ’s life, Muslims see the Eid Milad ul-Nabi as an important time to learn about and reflect on Mohammad’s life.

The Muslim-majority old city echoed with religious slogans as groups of motorcycle-borne youths took out processions. On the eve of Christmas, churches across the State are set for mid-night mass tonight. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to avert any untoward incident across the state. In Rajouri district, people carried out a procession on the occasion in huge numbers.

Leaders of different political parties and elected representatives greeted Muslim brethren on this occasion.