Eid-e-Milad holiday in Mumbai, 16 September: The Maharashtra government on Friday changed the official holiday for Eid-e-Milad in Mumbai from September 16 to September 18.
According to an official release, the decision was taken after the local Muslim community decided to hold Eid processions on September 18 instead of September 16. This was done to avoid any inconvenience during Anant Chaturdashi, the last day of Ganesh Utsav, which falls on September 17.
According to news agency PTI, officials said in the release that local collectors can decide on rescheduling Eid holidays in other districts as well depending on the circumstances.
Earlier on Sunday, Maharashtra Congress leader Naseem Khan had urged Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to declare a holiday on September 18 instead of September 16 for Eid-e-Milad. He had said in his letter, “Anant Chaturdashi is on September 17 and members of the Muslim community have decided to take out Eid-e-Milad procession on September 18 so that both the festivals can be celebrated with pomp and gaiety.”
When is Eid?
The last day of Ganpati festival is on September 17, while Eid-e-Milad may be celebrated on September 16, depending on the position of the moon. This is the second consecutive year that the Muslim community has rescheduled its procession to celebrate the occasion to ensure communal harmony.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Pankaj Dahane said, “Like last year, this year too the Muslim community has voluntarily rescheduled their religious activities so that the immersion process can take place smoothly… This is a remarkable display of unity and co-existence by the communities.”
It is noteworthy that the procession of Eid-e-Milad in Navi Mumbai starts from Turbhe and passes through Vashi and Koparkhairane and ends at Ghansoli Dargah. Eid-e-Milad or Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
