Eid Milad Parade in 2009
Sunday, 29 March 2009 00:00
The International Qur’anic Open University (IQOU) and United Muslim Christian Forum (UMCF) sponsored The 2nd Annual Eid Milad-un-Nabi Parade and Festival in scenic upstate New York in the City of Binghamton. This years’ Eid Milad un Nabi festival followed the heels of a very successful parade and festival last year which highlighted the peaceful co-existence of Muslims and the People of the Book who follow previously revealed Divine scriptures: the Torah and the Gospel. Eid Milad-un-Nabi is a traditional Muslim holiday in honor of the birth of the Holy Last Messenger, may the peace of God be upon him. During the event Muslims and Christians honored the Second to Last Messenger, Jesus, son of Mary, and all of the Messengers sent by God.
“Muslims and Christians Will Unite.”
Unlike those who portray Armageddon scenarios between Muslims and Christians, the above words are what the religion of Islam has to say about the destined Muslim/Christian relationship. Islam is not a religion enimical to the West. Reviver of Islam, El Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani Hashmi has been saying for decades that the time is upon true believers in God to unite upon the platform of ‘There is Only One God,’ and leave aside all differences for the benefit of mankind as a whole.
President Barack Obama, a Christian president with a Muslim name quoting a hadith, or tradition, of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his historic National Prayer Breakfast last month was, therefore, not surprising. Muslims and Christians have been coming together in brotherhood in this great country for years. This is part of “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” and as the Holy Last Messenger related to us “None of you is a believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself.”
El Sheikh Gilani advised on the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims extensively in his 1998 publication of the 40 Hadith Jami. In hadith 7 of the same, it states: “Whosoever does not show mercy to mankind, Allah will not be merciful to him.” The commentary elaborates: “Here it means mercy to all, whether Muslims or non-Muslims, because mercy is a specialty of the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him.)”
Images from the parade can be viewed in our Image Gallery.