Report: Prophet (p)’s ascension & annunciation celebrated

By: Raza Ali

WASHINGTON: Magnificent spiritual festivals, festive gatherings, Quran competitions and poetic meetings were held on official and non-official level across the globe to celebrate the auspicious and glorious occasion of Rajab 27.  

Rajab 27 is Eid day which marks two very important events of the history, namely Me’raj (Prophet’s ascension) and Be’sat (annunciation of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (p)’s prophethood). The Apostleship of the Chief of Prophets, Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P), was announced on this day to the world. Highlighting the objective of his Be’sat, the Holy Prophet (P) had said “rebuilding of moral”.

There are two parts of the Me’raj (Prophet’s ascension to Heavens) — first is called Isra and the second as Me’raj. The Holy Prophet (P) went to a place that was not accessible to others before, neither it is accessible today nor it would be in future.

Marking the blissful and auspicious occasion, spiritual gatherings were organized at the holy shrine of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (p) in Saudi Arabia, holy shrines of Hazrat Ali Murtaza (p), Hazrat Imam Hussain (p), Hazrat Abbas (p), Hazrat Imam Mousa Kazim (p), Hazrat Imam Muhammad Taqi (p), Hazrat Imam Ali Naqi (p), Hazrat Imam Hasan Askari (p) in Iraq, holy shrines of Hazrat Imam Ali Raza (p) and Hazrat Fatimah Masoumah (p) in Iran, holy mausoleums of Hazrat Zainab bint-e-Ali (p) and Hazrat Sakina bintul Hussain (p) in Syria, and holy places attributed to Ahlul Bayt (p) in Egypt besides mosques, imambargahs, imambaras, hussainyaat, maatam, Islamic centers in various other countries. Special prayers and A`maal of the night and day were performed.

In Algiers, Ministry for Religious Affairs organized a four-day national contest for the selection of the candidates for the International Prize of Koran Recitation and Psalmody, under the high patronage of the President of the Republic, for the celebration of Al-Isra and Al-Me’raj (the prophet's ascension). Several other celebrations in connection with the occasion were also held.

In Iran, the 21st International Competition of the Holy Quran began on Sunday. The five-day competition is attended by 90 domestic and foreign readers, reciters, and interpreters of the holy Quran. First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref delivered speech at the opening session of the contest and said promotion of the Quranic culture is must in an era when enemies of humanity deprive communities of their basic rights, adding that heads of all Islamic states should comply their political, social, economic and cultural attitudes with the Quranic standards. Addressing a gathering, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatullah Khamenei felicitated the auspicious appointment of the holy Prophet (p) and said formation of Islamic Ummah is a unique blessing of the prophet's designation.

In Indian Held Kashmir, thousands attended a celebration of Me’raj-un-Nabi (ascension of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (p) to Heavens) at Hazratbal shrine on the outskirts of Srinagar. A relic believed to be a hair from the beard of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (p) was also displayed to the devotees.

In Syria, a religious ceremony on the occasion of prophet’s ascension to the seven heavens was held in Damascus under the auspices of president Bashar al-Assad. The Ceremony started with a recitation from the Holy Quran, then Damascus Mufti Sheikh Basir Eid Al-Bari delivered a sermon in which he highlighted the significance of the day. The Prophet (p)’s midnight journey tells the story of his travel by night from Mecca to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem nearly 1424 years ago, his ascension to the seven heavens and return to Mecca in the same night.

In Saudi Arabia, besides celebrations in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, spiritual gatherings of Isra, Me’raja and Mab’ath were witnessed in eastern parts of the kingdom. Sheikh Abbas Al-Mahrous addressed a gathering at Al-Imam Zainul Abidin (p) Mosque, Tarourt, organized by Majlis Al-Ghadeer. Renowned eulogists including Abou Mehdi Al-Ahsaayi offered floral tributes to the Holy Prophet (p). Another similar gathering was held at hussainyah Rasol Al-Azam, Safwa, attended by flocks of devotees. Al-Imam Al-Jawwad (p) committee made arrangements of a mehfil at hussainyah Al-Aseef in Qateef.

In Pakistan, addressing a Mehfil-e-Mustafawi, leader of Pakistani Shiias Agha Syed Hamid Moosavi said 27 Rajab possesses a singular, distinctive and elevated status in the history of nations. He said the holy Prophet (p)’s 63-year life period stands witness that he bore sufferings of every kind but did not pain even a little to anybody, he discouraged  every kind of biases and aggression promoting the message of unity, brotherhood, peace and tranquility. Therefore, wherever it is oppression, biases and terrorism, it has no link with Islam even from far. Haeat Tulba-e-Islamia (Islamic Students Organization) organized a celebration at Jamiatul Momineen. Central president of the organization Adeel Abbas Wisami addressed and urged the need of sticking to holy Prophet (p) with being laced with great love for Prophet (p) in order to get rid of all problems and difficulties. A resolution adopted on the occasion severely condemned terrorism going on in different parts of the world.

In the Philippines, the occasion of Isra and Me’raj is a holiday in Muslim areas in the country, as mandated by Presidential Decree 1083 and recognized by the Civil Service Commission in a resolution.

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