By Siraj Khan and Govinda Sharma, Nepalgunj, Oct. 30: The 1494th birth anniversary of Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, the last promoter of Islam, has been celebrated in Nepalgunj with great pomp, amidst COVID-19 pandemic, today.

On the occasion, a large rally in which followers of other religions also participated went through the city.

People from Nepalgunj and nearby areas carrying placards and banner quoting different messages of the prophet took part in the procession.

On the occasion, sweets, fruits, tea and other items were distributed in various places of the city.

The march organised to mark the Birth Anniversary of prophet Muhammad went through main centers of the Nepalgunj city and ended in the local Gausiya Madarasa after five hours long walk.

Addressing the conclusion of the rally, Muslim leaders and religious leaders urged people to walk on the footsteps of Muhammad maintaing peace, brotherhood and goodwill as they were his teachings.

The Muslim community lamented that the local, federal and the state government did not grant holiday on the occasion.

Abdul Jabbar Manjari, a Muslim religious cleric, lamented about the lack of a ensuring a public holiday on Muhammed Day, saying it had hurt the feelings of the Muslim community.

He said that it was unfortunate that all three tiers of government had not accorded due importance to the Muslim festivals.

Abdul Hameed Siddiqui, a Muslim community leader and member of the former Constituent Assembly, said he was saddened that none of the three governments had given public holidy on Muhammad Day.

However, the public holiday was granted on Friday on the Mohammad Day in Narainapur Rural Municipality, Banke.

The locals expressed gratitude to the local government for giving the public holiday on the occasion.

The whole Nepalgunj City was decorated with flags and decors making the city colorful for the Muhammad Day.

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Muhammad, various programmes were organized at Dhamboji Chowk, Idgah Road and Fultekra Road on Thursday night.

Irfan Siddiqui, general secretary of Madrasa Faizunnabi, said that religious prayers were offered in various mosques and madrasas all night on Thursday night and that different parades were conducted across the Nepalgunj city as well.