Eid Milad-un-Nabi Celebrations in Northern America
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Milad-un-Nabi or Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) birthday was celebrated in Northern California with great enthusiasm and reverence
Milad-un-Nabi or Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) birthday was celebrated in Northern California with great enthusiasm and reverence. Islamic centers, mosques and religious organizations held special events to celebrate the occasion.
The Prophet’s birthday falls on the 12th day in the month of Rabee-ul-Awwal, according to the Hijra Calendar that fell on February 15 but celebrations were held throughout the Islamic month.
In America Eid Milad-un-Nabi has special significance because it is an occasion to educate our younger generation about Islamic values. Thousands of people attend these celebrations with their children and families. Prominent scholars are invited to speak about the life and message of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
On February 27, Jamaat-e-Ehle-Sunnat Northern California organized a big Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession outside the California State Capitol, Sacramento. The procession started from the Immigration Office at around 11AM and ended at the Capitol building where prominent scholars addressed the gathering. Among those who spoke at the event were Qari Bashir Ahmad Sialve, President Jamaat-e-Ehle-Sunnat Northern California, Maulana Hussain Tirmizi from England and Sahibzada Riaz-ul-Hassan from Texas.
The Woodland Mosque celebrated Eid Milad-un-Nabi on February 20. About 650 men, women and children attended the program. Qari Aamir Hussain was the mc of the five-hour program. Main speakers were Maulana Hussain Tirmizi from England, Sahibzada Riaz-ul-Hassan from Texas, Mufti Mahmood Varnalvi of Woodland Mosque and Qari Bashir Ahmad Sialve of Woodland. Several naat khawans thrilled the audience with their presentation. The Mosque hall was packed to capacity with men and ladies enjoying the program on short circuit TV in the main prayer hall. At the end dinner was served.
Thousands of people attended the Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations at the Fair Ground of the town of Stockton, California. The gathering was addressed by a number of prominent ulemas and spiritual leaders. Pir Sahebzada Sultan Riaz-ul-Hassan Qadri, Sajjada Nasheen Astana Sultan Bahu, was the chief guest at the event which was also addressed by Pir Syed Mohammad Ali Raza Bukhari, Sajjada Nasheen of Dargah Basahan.
Eid Milad-un-Nabi programs were also held at the Islamic Center of Yuba City. Maulana Hussain Tirmizi from England was the special guest at the event. Hafiz Murtaza Naqeebi, visiting from Pakistan, delighted the audience with the presentation of naats in his melodious voice. Hafiz Naseer Ahmed Attari was the master of ceremony.
A number of Eid Milad-un-Nabi events were also held in the Silicon Valley. Dr. Aamir Liaquat Hussein, a prominent Pakistan TV anchor, scholar and naat khawan, who happened to be in the area on a visit also showed up at a number of events in San Jose and Fremont.
The Islamic Society of South Bay, San Jose, held a largely attended Eid Milad-un-Nabi program.
MILAD, P24
m. Dr. Aamir Liaquat Hussein was the special guest at the event. He thrilled the audience with the recitation of naats in his melodious voice.
Mureedan-e-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani held an Eid Milad-un-Nabi program at the Mehran Restauran, Newark. About three hundred people attended the five-hour program which began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Qari Rehman Rehman. Emmad, Umair, Uzair, Owais, Usman, Matthew and Ali Asad presented Hamd. Little Usman Sarfaraz presented a naat.
Imam Alauddin El Bakri of the West Valley Muslim Association of Saratoga delivered a speech stressing the importance of Islamic values. Dr. Aamir Liaquat Hussein captivated the audience with his presentation of naats. Mureedan-e-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani arranged a dinner for the attendees.
