Thousands join procession through Peterborough to mark Prophet Muhammad’s birthday

Thousands of worshippers took to the streets of Peterborough on Sunday (September 22) to join a parade celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

The annual procession, also known as ‘jaloos’, was organised by Faizan-e-Madinah and Ghosia Mosques.

The birthday of Muhammad is one of the most important dates in the Islamic calendar, which this year was marked on September 14 and 15.

Estimates suggest between 1,500-2,000 people turned out to walk along Gladstone Street from Faizan-e-Madina Mosque to Ghousia Masjid.

Abdul Choudhuri, Chairman of the Joint Mosques Council, said the procession went “very well” - despite some worries about intensely inclement weather.

“We were a bit concerned because of forecasts about the rain [so] we were in two minds about what to do,” he said.

“But thank God that the rain stopped at the right time.”

Refreshments were provided at Faizan-e-Madinah Mosque before the start of the procession and food was provided at the Ghosia Mosque at the end of programme. Religious scholars and speakers – some of whom travelled from Pakistan – gave lectures on the life of the Prophet, and to remind those gathered about his teachings, which Mr Choudhuri said encourage Muslims “to be good citizens.”

Mr Choudhuri told the Peterborough Telegraph that, while next year’s procession will be very similar, the start and end points will change:

“Next year it will be the other way around; it will go from Ghousia Mosque and go to Faizan-e-Madina,” he explained.

“We alternate each year.”