Prophet's birthday marked by parade of 2,000 Muslims
THOUSANDS of members of Derby's Muslim community turned out for a parade to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad's birthday – despite the snowy conditions.
About 2,000 people took to the streets of Normanton for the annual event.
For Muslims, the Prophet's day is similar to Christmas day on the Christian calendar and is a chance to learn about Muhammad.
At the head of the procession was the organiser, Dr Allah Detta.
He led the men and boys from Darbar-e-Ali Ghamkol Sharif, a mosque in Dairy House Road, in a procession along Malcolm Street, Rose Hill Street, Normanton Road, Lower Dale Road, Almond Street, Walbrook Road, St Thomas Road, then through Dairy House Road and Malcolm Street again.
The parade ended at the Jamia Mosque in Rose Hill Street, where everyone went inside for prayers, holy chanting and guest speakers from around the world.
Among the speakers was Mufti Ansar-ul-Qadri and Syed Irfan Mashadi.
Dr Detta, 51, said: "We've had a wonderful turnout, even with the weather being snowy and cold.
"Everyone has been so enthusiastic and wanted to take part, no matter what got in the way.
"This year has been bigger and better than ever and we hope it continues to grow each year like it has done so far."
Those taking part in the procession had flags and banners and prayers were being broadcast over loudspeakers.
Crowds of people took to the streets along the route to see the parade, which included cars decorated with tinsel, flags and balloons.
The parade has been an annual event in Normanton since 1981.
The prayers went on into the evening, finishing at about 8pm.
Dr Detta said: "I'm very pleased at the number of people that turned out.
"Obviously some were frightened of the snow, but not many have not taken part.
"I'm proud to be parading around the streets of Normanton, celebrating the Prophet's birthday."
The Prophet's birthday changes each year in the Gregorian calendar, as the Islamic calendar is lunar.
Yesterday was the exact day of the Prophet's birthday and Dr Detta said this was "good fortune".
Members of the parade helped with the security of the event and police officers and PCSOs were also on the parade route.
Dr Detta said: "There has been no trouble from any of the parade members. It's been a great success again this year."









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by Hackneytom
Monday, February 13 2012, 11:43PM
“Green_Roads when have you been positive about anything? you knock anything that is either British or to do with freedom of rights of the British people. what a hypocrite you are with such comments! you support fascist causes like Argentina and call all white British people racists, look in the mirror if you want to see what a real racist looks like!”
by Green_Roads
Monday, February 13 2012, 11:18PM
“Can't you just for once see the positive side of Islam welshinvader ?.”
by Green_Roads
Monday, February 13 2012, 11:18PM
“Can't you just for once see the positive side of Islam welshinvader ?.”
by Eblis777
Monday, February 13 2012, 9:58PM
“People get upset when their own version of the truth is undermined. In every society, under every 'religious roof', you will find a small minority of people who spend their entire lives trying to convince others of their interpretation of 'The Truth'. What this 'Truth' is and what it represents, may be poles apart, yet still, you will find the rest of us, queuing up in line to be rhetorically slapped across the face, by a member of this small minority of people, to remind you just how far out you have ventured out from the holy track. Just like a salesman cannot let a customer get away, this minority have made it their mission in life, to be hailed as God-fuelled harbingers of doom, to all those 'customers' that did not follow their brand of 'Truth'.
I do apologise if I have come across as a racist, but that was never the intention. The intention was to demonstrate that every society has an underbelly of undesirable activities that are so far away from the religious doctrine being promoted by people who prima facie, would you make you think otherwise! Given this current situation of being branded a racist, then I would like to clarify my position on this point, in respect of the 1st comment which eventually got banned by the Muslim poster who claimed that western women dress like 'prostitutes'. If in response to this assertion I have been branded a racist for claiming there are a minority of Muslim women who dress in a strict Islamic way by day but wear Western clothes by night, then my 'interpretation' and also your 'interpretation' of 'Racism', may be different! Now, if this difference puts us at odds with one another, then just imagine the many differences we have over hundreds, if not thousands, of differing interpretations of every point, made on every religious subject, known to man!
Just because someone else's interpretation is at odds with your interpretation, does not make your interpretation right. I am sure, that if we all made a conscious effort to read between the lines, rather than over-examine every muted point, then there would be more opportunities to agree on the key messages and bring much deserved peace to the world, rather than dispute the finer complexities which, eventually and consequentially, lead to more violence and bloodshed.”
by 01ndr
Monday, February 13 2012, 1:13AM
“racist idiots got nothing better to do, we never abuse your christmas we instead join in so idiots like u have to spoil everything trying to be internet gangsters lol i respect all religions and i think u should too before people start pointing at your parents saying you wern't raised well enough think what you say and before u say think what others will think of u.”
by 1realest2
Sunday, February 12 2012, 10:02PM
“WHATEVER HAPPENED TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH! as long as its not the truth you are free to speak.”
by 1realest2
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 9:53PM
“khk”
by untremendous
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 4:44PM
“Obvious Troll is Obvious”
by Fasty
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 4:26PM
“My imaginary friend Kevin has a birthday on July 23rd but he doesn't want people making a fuss about it.”
by Defenses
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 10:29AM
“Just takes a few Id**ts like U lot to to hit at religion again.
You dont see posts like this when xmas is in your face 3 months before it has started and two months after it has finished. Oh but muslims will join in with your celebrations.
In another place i could say more, stick to what the story is and keep your racist comments for the other sites.
Id**ts”