Hundreds of thousands join Jashne Julus in Dhaka to mark Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi

Hundreds of thousands of devotees joined a grand Jashne Julus in the capital on Wednesday to mark Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) and the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, turning the streets of Dhaka into a vibrant display of religious devotion, peace and communal harmony.

The procession began at around 11am from the South Gate of Suhrawardy Udyan under the leadership of Aulad-e-Rasul (PBUH), Shah Sufi Dr. Syed Saifuddin Ahmad Al-Hasani (M.Z.A.), president of Anjuman-e-Rahmania Mainia Maizbhandaria.

Devotees from different parts of the country began arriving at Suhrawardy Udyan before dawn. By morning, the park and surrounding areas were filled with a massive gathering of men and women of all ages, many dressed in white and wearing traditional caps.

The procession moved through Doel Chattar, Shikkha Bhaban and Secretariat Road before returning to Suhrawardy Udyan.

The streets echoed with chants of “Ya Nabi Salam Alaika” and “Ya Rasul Salam Alaika.” Participants carried Kalema-inscribed flags, placards bearing messages of peace and religious devotion, colorful festoons and large national flags.

Following the procession, an International Peace Grand Gathering was held at Suhrawardy Udyan.

In his presidential address, Shah Sufi Dr. Syed Saifuddin Ahmad Maizbhandari said the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent as a mercy for all humanity. He said justice, humanity and lasting peace can be established in society by following the Prophet’s teachings and ideals.

“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) taught humanity harmony, brotherhood, love and compassion,” he said, stressing the relevance of these values amid ongoing wars, conflicts and instability around the world.

Dr. Syed Saifuddin Ahmad Al-Hasani said the significance of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi goes beyond ceremonial observance. He called for the Prophet’s ideals to be reflected in individual, family and social life through justice, compassion, tolerance and mutual respect.

Special guests at the gathering included Shahzada Syed Mehbub Mainuddin Al-Hasani and Shahzada Syed Mashooq Mainuddin, president of the Mainia Youth Forum and convener of the International Academy of Sufi Scholars.

A number of prominent international Sufi scholars also addressed the gathering, including Sheikh Professor Dr. Mohammad Elhusseini of Türkiye; Sheikh Professor Dr. Lakhdar Derfoufi and Sheikh Sidi Ali Ma Al-Ainin of Morocco; Sheikh Faisal Hamid Abdur Razzaq of Canada; Sheikh Mohammad Reza bin Abdul Latif Al-Magdoumi of Sri Lanka; Sheikh Safwan (Mohammad Ridha) Ali Odeibat of Jordan; Sheikh Al-Rashed Abdullah Hammada of Saudi Arabia; Sheikh Professor Dr. Mohammad Omar Syed of Somalia; Sheikh Dr. Abdul Nasser Shamsin of Australia; Sheikh Professor Dr. Yousry Roshdy El-Sayed Jabr Al-Hasani of Egypt; Sheikh Riyad Hasan Baju of Lebanon; Shaykh Mohammad Al-Maghrabi of Brazil; Shaykh Professor Dr. Mohammad Zafar Iqbal Jalali of Pakistan and Shaykh Nabil Akhtar Nawazi of India.

Among those present were Global University Vice Chancellor Professor Emeritus Dr. Anisuzzaman, former University of Dhaka Vice Chancellor Akhteruzzaman, General Secretary of Anjuman-e-Rahmania Mainia Maizbhandaria Khalifa Alamgir Khan, Maulana Mufti Baki Billah Azhari and Maulana Ruhul Amin Bhuiyan, among others.

Speakers said the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) offer a universal framework for peace, harmony and human welfare. They stressed that hatred, hostility, discrimination and inhumanity can be overcome by embracing the Prophet’s teachings of compassion, tolerance and mutual respect.

They also emphasized that religious values must go hand in hand with humanity, tolerance and respect for others to build a peaceful and harmonious society.

The significant participation of women was also observed at the gathering. The event concluded with a special Munajat (supplication) seeking the welfare and prosperity of Bangladesh and its people, as well as peace, humanity and harmony across the world.

The Munajat was led by Shah Sufi Dr. Shahzada Syed Saifuddin Ahmad Maizbhandari, incumbent Imam of Maizbhandar Darbar Sharif.