Muslims celebrate birth of prophet

More than a thousand worshippers took part in the march on Sunday to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. The annual celebration saw people in traditional dress walk from the Faizen e Madina Mosque to the Ghousia Mosque on Sunday.

Abdul Choudhuri, chairman of the Faizen e Madina Mosque said: “The birthday of the Prophet is on December 1, and we always celebrate on the nearest Sunday.

“It is one of the holiest and most important days in the Islamic calendar. After the march, we had a number of scholars who came from across the country. They gave speeches and talks about the Prophet Mohammed and the Quaran, and the way of life for Muslims.”

The march was one of a number of events held by the mosques over the past month.

In November an open day was held at the Faizen e Madina Mosque, to allow residents to s learn more about Islam. Peterborough City Council chief executive Gillian Beasley and Mayour of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough James Palmer were among the visitors on the day.

Mr Choudhuri said: “It is a fact that there are many non Muslim people who have never put a foot inside a mosque and may have so many misconceptions about the Islamic faith and Muslim communities. These might have developed in part due to the portrayal in the mass media which could create ill feeling and such ignorance may breads hatred in some cases.”