ISLAMABAD: The birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), Eid Milad-un-Nabi, is being celebrated across the country today (Friday) with religious zeal.
The day dawned with 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in all provincial capitals to pay homage to the last Holy Prophet (PBUH) on Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), a day known for its spiritual atmosphere.
Government and private buildings, besides mosques, shrines, and shopping centres have been beautifully illuminated with colourful lights at nearly every street of the country.
Special conferences, events and Mahafil-e-Naat have been arranged to pay homage to the last messenger of Allah whose whole life and teachings are beacon of light for the entire humanity.
Seerat conferences will also be organized at the provincial headquarters and other main cities and towns.
Prominent Ulema will highlight various aspects of Seerat-e-Nabi (SAW) calling upon people to follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) for their salvation.
On this sacred night Muslims perform prayers and read the holy Quran at mosques in addition to praying and listening to hymns praising the prophet.
Special prayers are also scheduled for progress and prosperity of the country.
Thousands of processions and rallies will be taken out across the country by social and religious groups while Mehfil-e-Milad and other gatherings will be held in which the life and the teachings of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) will be highlighted.
Vendors have set up colourful stalls with a various collection of badges, stickers, flags, and banners inscribed with religious slogans to pay respect and reverence to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) across the country.
Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations in Karachi
A foolproof security plan has been finalised by authorities for Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations.
As many as 23,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city, besides 5,000 policemen to perform security duties along the route of main procession in the city.
A procession, organised by Dawat-e-Islami, will be taken out from Kharadar area to Garden, while another procession, led by Maulana Akbar Dars, will march from Memon Masjid Kharadar to Aram Bagh.
Members of bomb disposal squad (BDS) will sweep the routes, while snipers will be positioned on high-rise buildings all along. Ambulances and fire tenders will be present on central points of every procession.
Suspension of cellular services in Sindh
Cellular services have been suspended in Karachi and few other cities of the Sindh on Friday to ensure security.
After the provincial government’s request to the federal government for suspending cellular services, the interior ministry authorised the suspension of services from 8am to 8pm on Friday.
Celebrations in Islamabad
Federal governments has already prepared contingency security plans with coordination of other law enforcement agencies to guard the processions and other events to be held on the day.
Special checking of the route in Islamabad would be completed before the procession starts and bomb disposal squad would clear the route on the day.
More than 2,000 police personnel — including 300 traffic policemen — will perform security duties on Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) in the federal capital, while special teams of Rangers, crime investigation department (CID), and the special branch police will assist in the smooth performance of their duties.
The main procession in Islamabad will start at Sector G-7 (Sitara Market) and culminate near the shrine of Hazrat Sakhi Mehmud at Aabpara Market.
The areas will be completely cordoned off via a heavy deployment of law enforcement personnel.
Strict monitoring of the main procession — through Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras installed recently — is part of the security plan. Parking vehicles on the route of the procession will be prohibited.
No one would be allowed to stand on the rooftops of the commercial and residential buildings situated along the route of the main procession while armed police personnel would be deployed on the rooftops of the buildings.
The procession routes have been sealed with containers while police officers would also perform security duties across the country.
Police patrolling had also been enhanced in many areas.
The faithful would be checked with metal detectors and walk through gates would be installed at the entry points of the processions.
The route of the main procession would be sealed completely and streets on the route would also be barricaded.
President Mamnoon Hussain’s message
In his message on the occasion of Eid Milad-ul-Nabi, President Mamnoon Hussain has stressed the need for following the teachings of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and promote his Uswah Hussana for the well-being of the humanity.
He said that we as the followers of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) should ensure peace and stability in the country obeying his teachings as his life is a complete example for us.
PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi felicitates nation
In his message, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi congratulated the entire nation on the occasion of Eid Milad-ul-Nabi (PBUH) and urged the need for following the path of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to create an environment of love, peace and harmony in the country.
He said the best way to celebrate this blessed day is an affirmation from ourselves to prove before the world with our character, way of talking and acts that we are the Umah of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).
The Prime Minister on this occasion also paid tribute to all martyrs, ghazis and mujahideen who offered great sacrifices for the defence of the motherland.
Imran Khan’s greeting
PTI chairman Imran Khan sends greetings via his official twitter account on the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi.
, Eid Milad-un-Nabi, is being observed across the country today (Friday) with religious zeal. ){kind=link}