The 42nd Milad-un-Nabi Festival, held to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, the founder and final prophet of Islam, was celebrated with great respect and pride yesterday (26) evening at the Al-Hilal College premises in Periyamulla, Negombo. The event was held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
This year’s national celebration was held under the noble theme of harmony, brotherhood and unity.
A special feature of this year’s event was that Gampaha District hosted a national Milad-un-Nabi celebration after 28 years. Negombo was specially selected to promote peace, harmony and reconciliation in the area, particularly following the Easter Sunday attacks.
The grand national celebration, attended by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was also attended by Buddhist monks and religious leaders representing different faiths. Several ministers, deputy ministers, the Deputy Speaker, members of Parliament and other special guests also participated in the event.
The idea of celebrating Milad-un-Nabi as a national event began about 42 years ago, during the administration of former President J. R. Jayewardene of the United National Party. The last nationally sponsored Milad-un-Nabi celebration held in Gampaha District took place in Malwana in 1998.
To mark the 42nd National Milad-un-Nabi Festival in Negombo, the Sri Lanka Postal Department issued a new commemorative stamp and a first-day cover. Postmaster General Premachandra Herath presented them to President Dissanayake.
Twenty respected Moulavis, Ustads and Muaddhins who had served for more than 25 years at Muslim religious institutions and Arabic-language schools in Gampaha District were honoured for their religious and social services. The awards were presented under the patronage of the President.
A special book containing detailed information about the long history, traditions, culture and social life of Muslims in Gampaha District was also launched. A special commemorative magazine published for the national celebration was also released. Copies of both publications were presented to the President.
During the 42nd National Milad-un-Nabi Festival, children presented several Qasida and Mawlid songs and poems praising the kindness, mercy and other good qualities of Prophet Muhammad.
Another special moment was at the beginning of the celebration, when a group of girls from the well-known Muslim schools in Negombo, Al-Hilal and Al-Falah Colleges, sang the Sri Lankan National Anthem in Sinhala.
Photographs: President’s Media Division