Milad juloos winds through Hyderabad amid prayers and pageantry

The Milad-un-Nabi procession, a part of Prophet Muhammed’s 1,500th birth anniversary, began on Sunday from the Mecca Masjid in the afternoon amid prayers, praise and celebration.

Popularly known as the Milad juloos, the procession was flagged off by former legislator Syed Ahmed Pasha Quadri from the historic mosque in the presence of Markazi Milad Juloos Committee, the office bearers of which performed supplications. Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand later arrived near the point of origin of the procession and met faith leaders.

Young men on two-wheelers, cars, lorries and even camels carried flags that signified the event. Chants and slogans of prophethood were raised even as the procession moved towards the designated route of Charminar, Gulzar Houz, Madina, Pathergatti, Madina Building, Nayapul, Salar Jung Museum, Darushifa, Purani Haveli, Etebar Chowk, Kotla Alijah, Bibi Bazaar Crossroads, Moghalpura, and concluded at Volta Hotel.

Muslims participate in the Milad juloos at Charminar in Hyderabad on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

However, smaller processions, other than the centralised procession, or groups of people converging with flags were seen in some parts of the city.

In the run-up, disagreements between faith leaders and the Markazi Milad Juloos Committee, the organisers, had arisen over moving the procession from September 5 — corresponding to 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal of the Hijri calendar, which marks Prophet Muhammed’s birth anniversary — to September 14. The development also triggered conversations over young men performing stunts on motorcycles, such as wheelies, and that such activity should be stopped.

Muslims participate in the Milad juloos at Charminar in Hyderabad on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

While faith leaders, public representatives and others had cautioned youth against performing stunts on motorcycles, a few incidents were reported with videos being uploaded on social media.

“The juloos was grand, given the 1,500th birth anniversary. Two-wheelers this year were fewer as compared to last year. The juloos ended after the Asr prayers. We did our best to streamline the juloos with many people joining on foot. The procession date was moved from September 5 to 14 in the interest of peace in the city, as our Hindu brothers had the Ganesh idol immersion procession,” Shujauddin Iftequari, an office bearer of the committee, said.