A Soul-Lifting Mehfile Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi in Mount Baldi
Report and pictures by Anwar Khwaja

Pictures above: Glimpses of the Mehfile Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi held at the residence of Mrs Rifat Mateen and Dr Mateen in Mount Baldi

A grand Mehfile Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi was recently held at the sprawling Mount Baldi residence of Mrs. Rifat Mateen and Dr. Mateen in the city of Claremont, California.

The Mateens are prominent members of the community and their home is frequented by leading socialites several times during the year to partake in social events. The couple has earned a name for their philanthropic undertakings and charming disposition.

Mrs Rifat Mateen had invited famous Naat khwaan Mrs Zohra Noorani all the way from Virginia State to participate in the Milad proceedings. Mrs Noorani belongs to a famous religious family of Karachi. She won acclaim at an early age: she won an international award for qirat when she was a girl. She was a regular performer on Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television.

The Mehfile Milad was conducted by famous columnist Mrs Tasneem Sana Khan. She also gave a small speech on the life of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and recited verses from the Holy Qur’an.

Besides Mrs Noorani, several local naat khwaan, including Mrs Munira Rajput, Mrs Shahida Aziz, Mrs Fatima and Miss Asha recited naats.

For many among the invitees, the Mehfile Milad was a truly soul-lifting experience.

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