The Eid-e-Milad procession will be from Khilafat House, Byculla, to Crawford Market on Nov 10

MUMBAI: For the first time in the century-old history of Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi juloos to celebrate Prophet Muhammad's birthday, BMC has sanctioned Rs 2 crore for arrangements for the massive procession that will also commemorate Khilafat Movement's centenary on November 10.

After All-India Khilafat Committee, which will take out the Eid-e-Milad procession from Khilafat House in Byculla to Crawford Market on November 10 approached standing committee chairman Yashwant Jadhav with a proposal to seek funds, Jadhav tabled it on Wednesday. "The Khilafat Committee told me about the role Khilafat Movement had played in the freedom struggle. Seeing its importance, and to facilitate the processions on Eid-e-Milad, I tabled the proposal, and BMC has approved Rs 2 crore every year," said Jadhav. He added that just as funds are earmarked for festivals like Ganeshotsav, there would be a fund for Eid-e-Milad processions.

Khilafat Committee acting chairman Sarfraz Arzoo said the funds sanctioned by BMC would be spent on creating facilities like provisions for medical emergencies, illuminating roads and setting up pandals for guests. "From next year, we will have flowers showered on the processions from a helicopter too," said Arzoo.

Elaborate arrangements have been made to keep the processions peaceful. "Police commissioner Sanjay Barve assured us of all help to celebrate Eid-e-Milad peacefully, and everyone will cooperate with police in maintaining law and order," said MLA Amin Patel, who was part of the delegation which met Barve. Patel also appealed for peace after the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya.

There are plans to introduce job-oriented courses for minority and madrassa students at Khilafat House, that runs teacher training courses like BEd and DEd, and a computer training course.

