MUMBAI: Prophet Muhammad’s 1500 birthday was on September 5 and the celebrations continue. The processions will be taken out on Monday which is a holiday in Mumbai and suburbs. But not many know who persuaded former PM Vishwanath Pratap Singh to declare holiday on the Prophet’s birthday or Eid-e-Milad.It was former Rajya Sabha member and eminent Islamic scholar Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi who not only raised the issue in the Parliament but even personally met VP Singh and requested him to announce the national holiday on Eid-e-Milad. And announce it on August 15,1990 from the ramparts of the Red Fort.“I gave a speech in the Parliament, reminding members that the government which had been formed in the name of doing social justice should honour the holy Prophet who epitomised social justice and equality. The speech was received by the members, including PM VP Singh, in a good spirit,” recalled Azmi.Azmi added that once the cabinet passed it he told the PM to announce it in his address to the nation on August 15, 1990 from the ramparts of the Red Fort.“VP Singh accepted my request and announced the decision to declare Eid-e-Milad a national holiday in his Independence Day speech. This was a historic decision and even the BJP which had supported VP Singh government did not oppose it,” said Azmi.
