The birth of prophet Mohammad is being celebrated today by Muslims world over. It is a special holiday for many in the Muslim faith. It is celebrated to mark the Eid milad-un-Nabi, birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, who entered the world in 570. It is celebrated on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal, the fifth month of the Islamic Calendar. This year the day falls on 9 March.

On this day Muslims celebrate by focusing on the life and teachings of Muhammad. They sing songs and say special prayers. A special part of this remembrance is on how he forgave even his most bitter enemies. As with other holidays, Muslims also give to the poor.

In Pakistan, religious organisations had completed preparations to celebrate the great occasion with traditional religious spirit and zeal.

Most of the city mosques and important buildings had already been decorated with lightings, flower beads and buntings, while others will be decorated until late Monday night. Children were busy building clay models of Makkah mountains where the Holy Prophet (Pbuh) was bestowed with prophethood.

In Malaysia people marked the event, in mass celebrations as Monday's market was announced holiday in honor of the birth of the Prophet Mohammad.

In India, the people has celebrated the `festival of colours' in an atmosphere of peace and mutual brotherhood.

First Kurdish Mawlid in Turkey

Turkey also celebrated Milad-un-Nabi with special programs by state-run TV, TRT, in Kurdish and also through connections to Kirkuk, Lefkosa, Sarajevo and Istanbul.

Mawlid, Milad-un-Nabi, was observed by Muslims in mosques across Turkey with prayers. After the prayers, congregation performed evening prayer.

Mawlid, is a central religious event in the Algerian society, too. Besides shows and fireworks blown by children and elderly nights and days, other cultural and intellectual activities are held in Mosques and other public places.

The ceremonies lasted from Monday evening until Tuesday morning, in some Algerian regions. They include religious songs praising the Prophets virtues and reciting his tradition. In Quran schools students keep reciting Quran and Hadith (Prophet's sayings) all the night.

A lot of people attend these ceremonies to listen to the teachings of the prophet and remember his Prophetic life and his endeavor to convey the message of Allah to all humanity.

Nigerian Muslims also join their counterparts across the world to celebrate this year's Milad-un-Nabi. Edo State governor in Nigeria, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, has urged Nigerian Muslims to emulate the exemplary life and teachings of the Holy Prophet.

Praying during night

In Kashmir, thousands of people converged at the famed Hazratbal shrine here Tuesday and offered prayers for peace and prosperity to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed.

With moist eyes and folded hands, devotees were engaged in prayers and 'Durud' (praises of the Prophet) for the entire night at Hazratbal where special arrangements have been made for the Mawlid celebrations.

Thousands of men and women remained awake through Monday night and prayed continuously until morning when the Prophet's holy relic housed in the shrine was displayed.

In Brunei also celebrated the event. Many districts of Brunei joined thousands of Muslims or the field yesterday to celebrate Holy Birthday. One hundred and fifty teams from all organisations, government departments and individual groups from all walks of. Life participated in the procession.

Meanwhile over 300 members of various women's associations under the Women's Council yesterday held a 'Dzikir Maulud' in Lambak.

Agencies