Festival atmosphere as 2,000 Muslims join in celebrations
RECORD numbers of the city's Muslim community turned out for a parade to celebrate the anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad's birth.
More than 2,000 Muslim men marched through Normanton for the celebration, which has been likened to Christmas Day in the Christian calendar.
At the head of yesterday's procession, which started at the Darbar-e-Ali Ghamkol Sharifmosque in Dairyhouse Road, was organiser, Dr Allah Detta.
Dr Detta, 52, is the son of the late Muhammad Bashir, who ran the first parade in 1981.
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He said: "It was the 32nd annual procession in the city to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad's birthday.
"The actual anniversary, which is set according to the lunar calendar, was on Thursday and so this was the first opportunity to hold a celebration event."
The procession made its colourful way, with people wearing green and white, along Malcolm Street, Rose Hill Street, Normanton Road, Lower Dale Road, Almond Street, Walbrook Road and St Thomas Road, before ending at the Jamia Mosque in Rose Hill Street 90 minutes later.
Crowds of people took to the streets along the parade route, which included cars decorated with tinsel, flags and balloons. It passed houses decorated with lights, giving the area a festive feel.
Once at the mosque, everyone went inside for prayers, food, holy chanting and to hear guest speakers.
Dr Detta said: "Beforehand we were pretty sure we would have more people in the parade than before and, although it has to be confirmed, I am sure we had a record turnout.
"Last year, snow threatened to affect the parade but we were lucky that this year's snow cleared and the sun came out."
Women did not join in the parade but spent the day meeting in small groups at each other's houses and cooking special foods, such as sweetmeats.
14 Comments
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by Duck2001
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 8:47PM
“Why are women not allowed to attend? It sounds a bit sexist?”
by Derby_born
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 7:49PM
“Ksdhindsa79, I thought you'd like that one; we did have such a Diwali parade in Derby some years ago and Leicester also still holds these parades. This does show the stark difference between the male dominated Muslim parade, which excludes women, and the bright, colourful, all inclusive family day that is celebrated by the Hindu religion (which is actually the world's oldest religion) and shared with the rest of the community.
I found this video of Nagar Kirtan in Derby (2012) which shows men,women, boys and girls all taking part in this event: http://tinyurl.com/b537nag
This is equally as bright, colourful and family inclusive as the Diwali parade, I prefer cultural events that are shared with the the whole community.
Pagenotfound, ("you where referring to a completely different religion all together
What relevance therefore your comment?" ) like you said yourself "its nothing like Christmas" so by the same definition what relevance does your comment have?”
by Ksdhindsa79
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 3:35PM
“@by Derby_born
I was not aware of that procession in Chester. Thanks for sharing.”
by Pagenotfound
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 11:03AM
“so Derby_Born, you where referring to a completely different religion all together
What relevance therefore your comment?”
by Derby_born
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 9:36AM
“@Ksdihnsda, I was referring to this parade which takes place in November as part of the Hindu festival of light:
https://http://tinyurl.com/av9ce8n”
by appraiser
Monday, January 28 2013, 9:35PM
“Actually, where are the women is a great question. Surely muslim women can be out on the streets can't they? Surely they are allowed to participate in celebrations within the confines of their faith. Why are they not part of these celebrations or is this another example of demonstrating to a non muslim like me that Islam is oppressive to women. Can a muslim please clarify why there are no women.”
by appraiser
Monday, January 28 2013, 9:27PM
“Where are the other muslims, why aren't they celebrating this festival. Surely there are more than 2000 muslims in Derby or is it a festival for green turban muslims only?”
by MrsChristmas
Monday, January 28 2013, 5:49PM
“Oh grow up RockofAges, there are NO Islamaphobic comments, but there are criticisms about women not being allowed to enjoy this anniversary too! It is women who give birth and nurture the whole of the human race and in some cultures women are worshipped like a God, it's a shame that in the year 2013, there is still so much disrespect for us!”
by Pagenotfound
Monday, January 28 2013, 1:00PM
“Your correct NewForOld, its nothing like Christmas as Christmas has been high jacked and turned into a commercialised festival of excesses and consumerism, that everyone takes part in, with little or no religious background anymore
whereas this is still based on religious beliefs and teachings”
by Pagenotfound
Monday, January 28 2013, 12:59PM
“Your correct NewForOld, its nothing like Christmas as Christmas has been high jacked and turned into a commercialised festival of excesses and consumerism, that everyone takes part in, with little or no religious background anymore
whereas this is still based on religious beliefs and teachings”