Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) celebrated with religious zeal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan celebrated the birth anniversary (Eid Milad-un-Nabi) of the holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) today, the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, with religious zeal, fervor and enthusiasm.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi congregations, rallies and processions were taken out in all cities of the four provinces including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

An International Seerat Conference was held on the occasion in the Federal Capital to highlight the life and achievements of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Seerat conferences was also organized at provincial levels where religious scholars and intellectuals shed light on Prophet Muhammed's life, sayings, teachings and philosophies.

In Islamabad, the celebrations began with a 31-gun salute, while special prayers were offered after Fajr prayers for the prosperity of the country. Public and private buildings, commercial centers, bazaars and streets in the twin cities have been illuminated and decorated with buntings and banners as well as welcome slogans to mark the religious festival.

The traditional Miladun Nabi (PBUH) processions were also taken out from Jamia Masjid Rawalpindi amid the tight security and will culminate in the late night at the same place. The procession passed through the Bani Chowk, Circular Road, Murree Road, Gawalmandi, Trank Bazaar, Iqbal Road and Committee Chock. According to Central Committee of Jashn-e-Eid Miladun Nabi, more than fifty processions from different routes merged into the main rally.

All adjacent roads on the route of the procession were also decorated with colorful flags, placards and banners. Candles and oil lamps (Chiragan) are lit on the eve of 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal to welcome the Prophet's arrival and to celebrate his birth.

The cultural organizations had planned special calligraphy exhibition and competitions of Naat and Qirat by involving students and youngsters to guide them about the significance of this day.

Sweets distributed in all schools, colleges, orphanages, widow and destitute homes, disabled and handicapped person homes and among prisoners.

The newspapers and magazines brought out special issues while the electronic media airing special programs highlighting the sanctity and significance of the day.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) was a public holiday in Pakistan. All government and semi government offices, and most private offices, businesses, shopping malls, post offices and educational institutions were closed on this day.

Meanwhile, strict security arrangements were put in place all across the country for Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH).

As part of the arrangements mobile phone services were shut in Quetta, Rawalpindi and Peshawar on Tuesday. A ban was also enforced on pillion riding in Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Sindh. A recommendation was made to prohibit pillion riding in Dera Ismail Khan.

Strict security remains enforced along the procession routes and Army and Rangers kept on stand-by in Rawalpindi. In Karachi, the processions were being monitored by CCTV cameras and security provided by Rangers and police. Foolproof security arrangements were made in Lahore. In Quetta, over 2,000 personnel of the police and FC were deployed and the route of the procession was monitored by CCTV cameras.