Biryani, prayers mark Eid Milad

Muslims across Bengaluru celebrated Eid Milad-un-Nabi (the festival of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday) on Thursday by taking out processions (juloos), organising mehfils (gatherings) and conferences to spread his teachings and message.

The Prophet was born on the 12th day of Rabi’ al-awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar which is based on the moon sighting.

Besides offering prayers at mosques, the followers of Islam wore mainly white ethnic clothes, waved green crescent and star flags and hung buntings across roads, greeting each other on the occasion. Special food, especially biryani, and desserts were cooked at home and Muslim neighbourhoods were soaked in festive atmosphere.

A procession that passed through Yeshwantpur, Yelahanka and Nagawara culminated at Chhota Maidan in Shivajinagar, where a jalsa (religious gathering) was held. Another procession taken from Mysuru Road passed through Hudson Circle and culminated at the YMCA ground on Nrupathunga Road. Processions also originated in RT Nagar, Kavalbyrasandra, Hebbal, Cottonpet and other areas.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was to attend a public meeting organised by the Juloos-e-Mohammadi Committee Trust at YMCA grounds, gave the event a miss. But Minister for Infrastructure Development, Information and Haj, R Roshan Baig, was in attendance. He later spoke to reporters, explaining that Islam was a religion of peace which didn’t encourage terrorism.

The processions affected traffic at some parts as the police had made diversions. Slow-moving traffic was reported at Tannery Road, Maruthi Sevanagar, near Okalipuram, Cole’s Road, Hennur main road, KR Puram among other places. To ensure peaceful celebrations, police were posted at sensitive areas of Bengaluru.