Eid Milad marked with traditional zeal, Xmas today

Central procession commences amid foolproof security

LAHORE:

Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH) was marked on Thursday with trademark zeal and fervour across the provincial metropolis.

Celebrations kicked off with the offering of special prayers and holding of Quran khwanis at mosques city-wide following Fajr for peace, progress and prosperity of the nation and the greater Muslim world.



Pakistan Army had earlier presented a 21-gun salute at the Mehfooz Shaheed Garrison to pay homage to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the occasion. Seerat conferences, mehafil-i-milad, qirat and naat competitions were held across the city to celebrate the birth of the Prophet (PBUH).

Scores of processions were organised across the city to celebrate the day in a befitting manner. The central procession taken out in this connection was led by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) provincial organiser Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar. The procession commenced from City Railway Station amid foolproof security. Dozens of small processions that commenced from other parts of the provincial metropolis including Australia Chowk, Brandreth Road, Circular Road, Railway Road, Gowalmandi, Mayo Hospital, Bansanwala Bazaar, Shah Alam Chowk, Anarkali merged into the main procession en route Data Darbar. Ornamented vehicles equipped with loudspeakers were seen accompanying naat khwans in this regard.

Lovers of the Prophet (PBUH) showered petals and rosewater on those participating in the processions and feted them with delectable dishes and fresh fruits.

All bazaars, commercial areas, government and private buildings were bedecked with eye-catching fairy lights, buntings, banners and other decorative paraphernalia.

City District Government Lahore (CDGL), Rescue-1122 and police had made concerted arrangements to clear processions’ routes. Traders and street vendors also partook in the festivities by establishing stalls and kiosks to sell badges, stickers, buntings, flags and banners inscribed with slogans eulogising the Prophet (PBUH) . Rescue-1122 had deputed nearly 8,000 rescuers across the Punjab who discharged duties in three shifts to provide emergency cover. All DEOs had been directed to ensure the provision of comprehensive emergency medical cover to Eid processions, public gatherings and rallies on Eid Milad. Rescue-1122 had also set up mobile rescue posts along the route of the central procession. Families flocked in droves to parks and streets by nightfall. Scores of citizens went out to enjoy the holiday. Children evinced keen interest in traditional Eid Milad paraphernalia.



The city has been festooned with lights and flags for Christmas and Eid Miladul Nabi celebrations. All major buildings have been decorated for the holiday.

At Alhamra on The Mall, a Christmas tree has been installed next to a banner for Eid Miladul Nabi.

On Christmas eve, special prayers were held in churches and trees were decorated by Christian families. 

Festivities all around: 12,000 policemen deployed for Eid Milad, Christmas security 

Lahore police have made stringent security arrangements for Eid Miladul Nabi (PBUH) and Christmas celebrations. The city police arranged a function at Qila Gujjar Singh police lines to celebrate Christmas with its Christian workers. Security SP Liaquat Malik said at least 12,000 police officials were providing security across the city. He said police had held meetings with the organisers of Eid Miladul Nabi (PBUH) and Christmas ceremonies to seek their cooperation for maintaining order. Search operations were launched in areas around the venues of these ceremonies. Police vans equipped with security cameras have been patrolling such venues. Centralised Control Rooms have been set up at the offices of the CCPO and the Operations DIG for monitoring purposes. Police had installed CCTV cameras along the routes of processions. Snipers have been deployed on rooftops along the routes of ceremonious processions. Participants of the parades were checked using metal detectors. Walkthrough gates were also installed for the purpose. Police used barbed wire and barricades to prevent vehicles from entering the venues of public meetings and functions.

Sharing joys

Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael, Operations DIG Haider Ashraf, Headquarters SP Omar Saeed and MPAs Shahzad Munshi, Shunila Ruth and Tariq Masih Gill attended a cake-cutting ceremony at Qila Gujjar Singh. Michael praised police for celebrating the birth of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Jesus Christ (PBUH). He said he was confident that Lahore Police would do their best to provide security for Eid Miladul Nabi (PBUH) and Christmas. Ashraf said that Holy Prophet (PBUH) had protected the rights of religious minorities and their places of worship. “We respect the sentiments of all religious communities. It is our duty to protect worship places of people of all faiths,” the DIG said. He promised to provide best possible security to churches in the city. Shahzad Munshi said that Lahore police had given a message of interfaith unity by organising the function.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2015.