MANY living in multicultural towns and cities across Britain will be wondering why some homes and Mosques are lit up in festive lights at a time known for Santa, Christmas Trees, Mariah Carey and the birth of Jesus Christ.
I first thought that the festive lights were to celebrate Christmas, however, after asking a Muslim friend about the lights I was told that they have nothing to do with Christmas at all.
The lights are known as “Milaad lights” and are for Annual celebrations to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammed and they have been lighting up country this December.
One man said “People were a little curious at work and thought they were new types of Christmas lights.”
“I explained the significance and exactly why people celebrate the Milaad.”
“It is good though to see lights-up in many neighbourhoods. The children especially love it.”
Another person told The Bolton News that he is “delighted” to see homes lit-up in this way, “We put our Milaad lights up every year and in recent times the celebrations to mark the birth of the Prophet Muhammed are coinciding with Christmas time.”
“With all that is going on in the world, it is really great to see communities celebrating their own faiths in this way. Our street has both homes celebrating Christmas and those celebrating the Millad.”
The celebration is also known as Nabi Day, Mawlid, Mohammad’s Birthday or the Prophet’s Birthday.
Many Muslims believe in the Milaad but not all will put up lights and celebrate it in this way.
Some people are unhappy with what they see as a “Muslim takeover” of the Christmas period and some more traditional Muslims also oppose the festivities.
One controversial preacher, Dr Zakir Naik, opposes the processions says “anything in the religion of Islam, which is not mentioned in the Qur’an in following the religion of Islam is [wrong].”
He adds that “The Prophet, [never] said that you have processions for my birthdays, or for my death.”
“But celebrating and wasting money -You know having processions, and having band baaja, etc….it is israaf. (Israaf means Extravagance)”
Dr Naik is a controversial figure and was banned by former Home Secretary, Theresa May from coming to the UK in 2010.
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