The 42nd Milad Un Nabi Celebrations, which commemorate the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder and final messenger of Islam, was held yesterday (26) evening at the Al Hilal College premises in Periyamulla, Negombo under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
This year’s National Celebration was held with the noble theme of coexistence, brotherhood and unity in mind. Venerable monks and priests representing all religions participated in the celebration.
In addition, the Minister of Buddhism, Religion and Culture, Professor Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister Munir Mulaffar, Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Krishantha Abeysinghe, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Speaker Dr. Mohamed Rizvi Sali, Governor of the Western Province, Hanif Yusuf, and Gampaha District Member of Parliament, Champika Hettiarachchi, among others, also participated in this festival as special guests.
The concept of celebrating Milad Un Nabi as a national festival began about 4 decades ago, that is, about 42 years ago, during the reign of former President J.R. Jayewardene of the United National Party. The last time a national Milad-un-Nabi celebration was held in Gampaha District with state sponsorship was in Malwane in 1998.
Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Postal Department issued a new stamp and a first-day cover for the 42nd Milad-un-Nabi National Celebration to be held in Negombo, and the Postmaster General, Mr. Premachandra Herath, presented it to the President.
A group of 20 respected maulvis, ustads and muezzins, who had served in Muslim mosques and Arabic language schools in the Gampaha District for more than 25 years, were felicitated by the President in appreciation of their religious and social services. Also, a special book containing detailed information on the ancient history, traditions, cultural activities and social living conditions of the Muslims of the Gampaha District and a commemorative magazine section printed for this national festival were also launched here.
Throughout the 42nd Milad un Nabi National Festival, several praise songs (Qasida, Mawlud) and poetry creations sung in praise of the goodness of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) such as kindness and mercy were presented by children. It was a special occasion when a group of girls from Al Hilal and Al Falal Vidyalayas, the famous Muslim schools in Negombo, sang the national anthem of the country in Sinhala at the beginning of this national festival.
Photos; Presidential Media Division,