Overview & visitor information
This day is celebrated to mark the birth date of the Holy Prophet of Islam. It has become very popular in Karachi in recent years, and the preparations for the events themselves are a sight to behold. The major roads of the city are lit up with green lights right from the very beginning of the month. The most ornamentation is at the Numaish Roundabout, where large tents with heart-throbbing sound systems are set up on both sides of the wide road, playing Na’ats (songs in praise of the Prophet) all day long. On the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal there are processions along the M.A.Jinnah Road, the Golimaar-Lasbela-Gurumandar Road, and other prominent thoroughfares of the city. Thousands of people attend these processions, chanting religious anthems and slogans, and carrying large flags on high poles balanced by ropes held taut by energetic young men from all sides. There are large religious gatherings arranged at public parks throughout Karachi, but they are always a risky business. After the bomb blast at such a gathering at Nishtar Park, Saddar, just a few years back, these gatherings have raised questions about the security measures undertaken by the city government. It is therefore not advisable to attend such gatherings but to enjoy watching the sights from the safety of your balcony, or the television.
