Leaders want occasion to slowly turn quieter

From this year, Muslim religious leaders have intensified their focus on celebrating Id-e-Milad, the birth celebration of prophet Muhammed, in a different and constructive manner. They are expecting that slowly but certainly, the celebration of Milad would not involve loudspeakers, dance and bursting of crackers and instead more services for the community.

Prominent religious leader Maulana Syed Moinuddin Ashraf alias Moin Miyan, who was among those who lead the procession today told The Asian Age that since the last few years, efforts have been made that participants of the Id-e-Milad procession avoid using of DJs and loudspeakers. Focus on this has been increased this year by calling meetings and making announcements in masjids asking people to celebrate the event in a peaceful and constructive manner.

“This year youths from Worli have agreed not to engage DJ and loudspeakers but use this money for distributing food to poor people. Since the decision was taken at a much later stage the people from Worli have decided to arrange for discourse, distribution of food. But in future they would be using this money for arranging mass marriage of poor people who cannot afford the wedding expenditure,” added Miyan.

Maulana Saeed Noori, head of Raza Academy, said that imams of masjids not only made announcements in Juma prayer asking people not to use loudspeakers and DJs during processions but a few of them also visited their local area requesting people to stay away from such activities.

In meetings, Mr Miyan and fellow Ulemas are asking people to use the money for causes that would benefit everyone, like helping educational institutions, hospitals, supporting poor students in getting education, visiting hospitals, old age homes etc. Mr Miyan said meetings to this end were held in Madanpura and other Muslim majority areas and in his Khankah (inner circle) to convey this message to people.

Speaking on Thursday’s celebrations, social activist Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation, which focuses on noise pollution, said she did find noise during the procession but added she cannot comment as her foundation’s report on this would be ready only tomorrow. However, she added, “I saw people carrying placards and banners asking participants not to use loudspeakers and DJs during the juloos (street processions)”.