Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (peace be upon him), the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, marking the birthday of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him), is being celebrated on Tuesday with religious solemnity and enthusiasm. The national flag will be hoisted on all public buildings, while there will be 31-gun salute in the Federal capital and 21-gun salute at the provincial headquarters at the dawn of the day.
Special prayers will be offered for the unity of Muslim Ummah after Fajr prayers. A one-day National Seerat Conference will be organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Islamabad. Ulema and scholars from across the country and abroad will attend the moot and present their papers.
Seerat Conferences at the provincial headquarters will also be held. Seerat competitions will be organised by the educational institutions, aiming at highlighting the life of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). The newspapers will bring out special editions, while the electronic media will air special programmes, highlighting the significance of the day.
Various religious, social and cultural organisations are holding Milad Mahafil and Seerat gatherings where speakers will highlight various aspects of the life and teachings of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Important government and private buildings, mosques and streets across the country have been decorated with lights, green flags, colourful buntings and banners, welcoming the festive day.
The government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday and all government and semi-government offices, bazaars and shopping malls will remain closed on the day. However, the heads of the educational institutions are holding functions in their institutions. Sweets and food will be distributed in schools, colleges, orphanages, widow and destitute homes, disabled/handicapped and for prisoners. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident on the occasion.
Police and other security personnel will keep a close eye on routes of Milad processions to be taken out across the country. In Lahore, a number of processions will be taken out from various parts of the city. The participants will pay tributes to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and recite "Na'at" and "Durood-o-Salaam" all along traditional routes leading to the end point. The main procession will be taken out from Railways station under the aegis of Milad Committee, Lahore.
The procession will pass through traditional routes and terminate at Data Darbar where special prayers will be offered for the integrity and prosperity of the country. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to maintain law and order.