Lahore Celebrates 4 festivals

Happy Eid Milaad, Good friday, Easter, Holi and Navoroz.
It is such a delight to see this happening in Pakistan, of course, they would say, it is nothing new. But good news like this is usually not covered by the media. Mike Ghouse

Lahore celebrates four religious occasions today.
By Nadia Usman

LAHORE: Religious fervour is at its peak today (Friday) as the dates on four different religious calendars coincide. Muslims are celebrating Eid Milad-un-Nabi, Christians are celebrating Good Friday, Hindus are celebrating Holi while Zoroastrians, Parsis, Bahais and several Shias who follow the Iranian calendar are celebrating Nauroz. Talking to Daily Times, Jacqueline Tressler, chairperson of the Inter Religious Peace Council (IRPC), said, "This is a coincidence and God's gift to promote religious harmony in the country." She said further that participation in each other's religious festivities would help people develop trust in each other and would play a vital role in creating a peaceful society.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi

Muslims celebrate Rabi-ul-Awwal 12 of the Muslim Calendar as Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). On this day, the people remind themselves of the blessings of God. Special prayers are held and the people light up their houses and important buildings. In Pakistan, children participate in the celebrations by making Paharis. This tradition started in this part of the world many decades ago when the people started making models of a mountain to symbolise Mount Noor, which neighbours Mecca, the city where the prophet (PBUH) was born. The people also distribute sweets on this day. They also arrange gatherings where they recite excerpts from the Quran and naats.

Holi

The Hindus celebrate Holi over two days on Phalgun Purnima or Pooranmashi (Full Moon) in the later part of February or early March. Last year, it was celebrated on March 3. A special delegation of Hindus from Sindh, led by Sushila Anil, has reached the city to celebrate Holi at the Krishna Mandir. Talking to Daily Times, Sushila said, "Hindus celebrate the event just as Muslims celebrate Eid." She said that the people wear new clothes, traditionally white, and hold special poojas and bhajans (prayers) after which they playfully throw coloured powder or water on each other.

Nauroz

Nauroz is the traditional Iranian New Year. It is celebrated chiefly by Zoroastrians, Parsis and Bahais as it also marks the start of the Bahai calendar. Nauroz reflects the rich cultural heritage of Iran. Some people say that the event demonstrates the ancient Iranians' impressive understanding of science and astronomy. It begins precisely with the beginning of spring on vernal equinox, which is on or around March 21. In Iranian mythology, the day marks the renewal of life and the world. The main event in the city will be held at the Bahai Centre, near Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Tradition takes Nauroz about 15,000 years back – before the last Ice Age.

Good Friday

Good Friday or Holy Friday is the Friday before Easter, which always falls on a Sunday. It commemorates the crucifixion of Christ at Calvary. Good Friday services are being held at all churches in the city. Bishop of Lahore and Church of Pakistan Moderator Dr Alexander John Malik said the day stands out as a symbol of success against the forces of oppression and injustice. "Good Friday brings all those struggling against injustice and forces of evil, the good news that death is not the end of a struggle, rather a milestone for success." Some believe the name Good evolved from God or God's Friday. Others believe that the word Good represents the gift of salvation, brought forth by Christ's sacrifice. Good Friday is the day when Christ was crucified and Easter the day when he rose from the dead, three days after his crucifixion. Protestants hold their Good Friday services between 12pm and 3pm to commemorate Christ's hours on the cross.

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