MUMBAI: A group of Muslim leaders have asked the state government to allow community members to take out Eid-e-Milad (birthday of the Prophet) procession on October 30 with adherence to social distancing guidelines. At a meeting with home minister Anil Deshmukh on Tuesday, community leaders, legislators and ex-ministers said the government should issue SOPs for the Eid-e-Milad festival to preempt confusion and allow the community to prepare for the festival.
“We told the home minister that since celebrating all festivals, with adherence of guidelines, was allowed, the government should allow celebrations of Eid-e-Milad too. We want SOPsregarding this to be issued at the earliest,” said Congress MLA Amin Patel, adding that the meeting at and procession from Khilafat House in Byculla on Eid-e-Milad would be scaled down in the wake of the pandemic.
Former minister Arif Naseem Khan said Muslims have decided to voluntarily reduce number of vehicles and participants in processions this year. “We are not asking for permission for huge processions as it is advisable to have few participants. But guidelines must be out soon,” said Khan who leads the annual Eid-e-Milad procession at Ghatkopar-Chandivli area.
Religious leaders have decided the community will not spend money on hiring DJs as part of Eid-e-Milad celebrations.