Hyderabad Reschedules Milad un Nabi
Milad un Nabi Processions Postponed
Hyderabad’s Milad un Nabi Processions Rescheduled After Owaisi-CM Talks
Introduction
In a significant development ahead of upcoming religious festivities, Hyderabad MP and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi held a crucial meeting with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy regarding the organization of Milad un Nabi processions in Hyderabad and across other districts of Telangana. The meeting, which took place on Friday, saw the participation of AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi and members of the Markazi Milad Juloos Committee, who placed their requests before the state government for smooth conduct of the celebrations.
The discussions revolved around granting permission for processions, ensuring decorations of historic mosques and dargahs, and arranging necessary facilities such as free electricity supply during the festival. However, due to the overlap of Milad un Nabi with Ganesh idol immersion, the decision was made to postpone the processions to a later date, reflecting an effort to maintain harmony and ensure peaceful celebration of both festivals.
What is Milad un Nabi?
Milad un Nabi, also known as Eid-e-Milad, is the observance of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). For Muslims worldwide, the occasion is of immense religious significance, marked with processions, special prayers, community feasts, and decoration of mosques. In Hyderabad, a city known for its cultural and religious diversity, Milad un Nabi has always been observed with grand processions, illumination of historic mosques, and widespread participation from the Muslim community.
The Markazi Milad Juloos Committee, which organizes the main processions in Hyderabad, plays a central role in coordinating with local authorities to ensure the smooth conduct of the celebrations.
The Meeting Between Owaisi and CM Revanth Reddy
The delegation led by Asaduddin Owaisi approached the Chief Minister to formally seek permission for processions and related activities. They highlighted the importance of allowing the traditional celebrations to continue without obstacles and also put forward logistical requests, including free electricity for the decoration of mosques and dargahs during the festival period.
CM Revanth Reddy, in turn, assured the leaders that the government respects the sentiments of the Muslim community and would extend support for the celebrations. However, considering the overlap with Ganesh Chaturthi immersion, authorities suggested rescheduling the processions to avoid clashes or logistical issues.
Ganesh Idol Immersion and Its Significance
Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrated with grandeur across Telangana, culminates in the Ganesh idol immersion processions on the 11th day of the festival. This year, immersion day falls on September 6, 2024. Lakhs of devotees across Hyderabad and surrounding areas participate in the immersion, leading to massive processions, traffic diversions, and high demand for police deployment.
With the simultaneous occurrence of Milad un Nabi on September 5, authorities faced concerns regarding crowd management, law and order, and the smooth conduct of both religious events. To avoid overlapping processions and possible tensions, the Markazi Milad Juloos Committee agreed to reschedule the Milad un Nabi processions.
Postponement of Milad un Nabi Processions
While Eid Milad un Nabi will be celebrated on September 5, 2024, the processions will now take place on September 14. This postponement ensures that both Hindu and Muslim communities can celebrate their respective festivals peacefully and with proper administrative support.
This decision is not new — in fact, last year (2023) also saw a similar overlap between Ganesh idol immersion and Milad un Nabi processions. At that time, the immersion was held on September 17, while Milad un Nabi fell on September 16. The Muslim community celebrated the festival on its actual date, but the main procession was rescheduled to September 19 to avoid conflicts.
The Importance of Religious Harmony in Hyderabad
Hyderabad has historically been a city where multiple communities celebrate their festivals with grandeur, often overlapping in the calendar. The city’s multicultural fabric necessitates careful planning and coordination between communities and the government to maintain peace and harmony.
By postponing the Milad un Nabi processions, community leaders have once again demonstrated the importance of prioritizing peaceful coexistence over confrontation. The decision also highlights the role of dialogue between religious representatives and the state government in ensuring smooth celebrations.
Role of the Markazi Milad Juloos Committee
The Markazi Milad Juloos Committee plays a vital role in Hyderabad’s Milad un Nabi celebrations. Each year, the committee organizes the main procession, which witnesses participation from thousands of devotees across the city. In addition to processions, the committee oversees mosque decorations, arrangements for religious sermons, and community gatherings.
By postponing the procession date this year, the committee has shown its willingness to cooperate with authorities to maintain public order. They have also emphasized the importance of decorating historic mosques and dargahs across Hyderabad, including landmarks such as Mecca Masjid, Dargah Yousufain, and Jama Masjid, which are traditionally illuminated during Milad un Nabi.
Requests Made to the Chief Minister
During the meeting, Owaisi and the committee members made the following key requests to the Telangana government:
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Permission for Milad un Nabi processions in Hyderabad and other districts.
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Decoration of historic mosques and dargahs under government supervision.
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Free electricity supply during the celebrations.
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Adequate security arrangements to ensure the safety of participants.
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Assistance for displaced traffic and route planning to accommodate processions.
The Chief Minister is expected to review these requests and instruct relevant departments to provide the necessary support.
Political and Social Relevance
For AIMIM and its leadership, Milad un Nabi holds not just religious significance but also socio-political importance. Being a festival that gathers thousands of community members, it becomes a platform where leaders reaffirm their commitment to preserving religious traditions.
By personally meeting the Chief Minister, Asaduddin Owaisi has ensured that the Muslim community’s concerns are formally addressed. The meeting also reflects AIMIM’s active role in mediating between the government and the people on matters of cultural and religious importance.
Security and Administrative Preparations
Given the scale of both Ganesh immersion and Milad un Nabi processions, the Telangana police and administration face a challenging task of ensuring law and order. The Hyderabad Police Commissionerate will likely deploy additional forces, monitor processions through surveillance cameras, and enforce traffic diversions across major routes.
Postponing the Milad un Nabi processions gives law enforcement agencies more time to prepare security arrangements without stretching resources during Ganesh immersion.
Voices from the Community
Community leaders have largely welcomed the postponement, stating that it reflects the spirit of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb — Hyderabad’s tradition of communal harmony. Religious scholars have also emphasized that while celebrating Milad un Nabi on its actual date is spiritually important, the processions can be held later without compromising faith or devotion.
Several residents of Hyderabad echoed similar sentiments, appreciating that both festivals will now be celebrated peacefully without logistical clashes.
Looking Back at Previous Years
This is not the first time Hyderabad has had to reschedule religious processions due to overlapping festivals. Over the years, authorities and community leaders have repeatedly coordinated to avoid tensions, particularly during Ganesh Chaturthi and Muharram processions.
The city has built a reputation for managing multiple large-scale festivals simultaneously, with administrative planning and mutual cooperation from different communities ensuring that celebrations remain peaceful.
Conclusion
The decision to postpone the Milad un Nabi processions in Hyderabad to September 14 highlights the importance of balancing religious traditions with social harmony. With AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, and the Markazi Milad Juloos Committee actively engaging with CM Revanth Reddy, the Muslim community has received assurances of government support for their celebrations.
As Hyderabad prepares to celebrate both Ganesh Chaturthi and Milad un Nabi, the city once again demonstrates its ability to uphold the spirit of religious coexistence. The postponement ensures that both communities can observe their respective festivals with joy, dignity, and peace — keeping alive the city’s legacy of unity in diversity.