Celebrations at mosque for Prophet's birthday.

Byline: By HAZEL ETTIENNE News Reporter

MUSLIMS from across Britain met at Lockwood's Hanfia Institute to take part in this year's Eid-Milad event celebrating Prophet Muhammad's birthday.

M ore than 700 men, women, children, and a number of high-ranking Muslim scholars attended the event in Bentley Street The special function was organised by the Hanfia Institute to coincide with global celebrations.

According to Islamic history, Prophet Muhammad was born in the city ofMecca during the Islamic month of Rabi-Ul-Awwal in 571 AD and passed away in 634 AD, about 600 years after the birth of Jesus Christ.

But unlike Christianity, where the focus of Christ's birth is on one specific date - December 25th, Muslims use the whole of the Islamic month of Rabi-Ul-Awwal to organise celebrations and public processions.

It represents a time of great happiness, and children attending Maddrassah classes in local Mosques are given holidays.

Mohammed Imran who is General Secretary of the Hanfia Institute said; "This is one of the most important times in mainstream Sufi Islam's calendar, along with theMuslim holy month of fasting - known as Ramadan. These are the two times of the year when followers of the Islamic faith are really busy in worship."

"Muslim countries across the World celebrate Prophet Muhammad's birthday and there are statutory or public holidays given to school children.

Mosques are lit up with beautiful illuminations and poetry is read in front of huge congregations which gather to join in these celebrations."

He added: "It is a time of much joy and happiness. Eid-Milad is also celebrated in many Muslim households where the Koran and Islamic poetry in praise of Prophet Muhammad is read by children. A variety of tasty Indian cuisine is also served to relatives and neighbours."

Mr Imran added that extremists will not celebrate Prophet Muhammad's birthday because there is a focus during these Eid-Milad celebrations on the Prophet's life and the emphasis which he placed on the shoulders of all Muslims to love and take care of their neighbours.

He said: "The Eid-Milad celebrations of Prophet Muhammad's birthday go against the very ideology of racism, violent extremism and terrorism.

This is why the extremists will simply stay away from those Mosques which hold annual Eid-Milad functions."

The Hanfia Institute is instrumental in promoting community cohesion and welcomes groups from alls sections of the community to visit.

Most recently it has hosted workshops for police officers serving with the West Yorkshire Force to promote understanding and foster strong relationships.

It has also worked with local schools and community groups.

CAPTION(S):

TIME FOR PRAYER: The Eid-Milad celebrations at Hanfia Institute, Lockwood, were joined by people from across the country (PW080309Eeidmilad-02); WORSHIP: Youngsters join senior clerics in the event (PW080309Eeidmilad-01)