Street turned into party venue to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday

Residents from across the borough gathered in Devonshire Road, which had been lit up for the occasion.

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Cllr Arif Khan, who represents the Queensgate ward, said the party in a huge marquee, which also included a birthday cake shared among the hundreds of guests, was a “brilliant” occasion.

He said: “There was a really good community spirit.

“The good thing was that all the people were from seven or eight mosques across Burnley. There was great community cohesion and a mix of different people from different communities.”

As part of the party, food including, rice and curry dishes, as well as pizza, were served.

Prayers were said and traditional Arabic poetry was read.

Cllr Khan said: “Everybody really enjoyed it.

“Some people said they had been a bit nervous at the beginning because sometimes, things can happen at these kinds of religious and political events, but in the end, people loved it.

“It was a really nice evening and there was an unbelievable atmosphere.”

Cllr Khan said the celebration on Monday was an open event, but at any one time, up to 300 people were present across the four hours.

Sunni Muslims observe the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi’ al-awwal, while Shi’a Muslims mark it on the 17th of this month.

The Prophet is widely believed to have been born in Mecca, in present day Saudi Arabia, in AD 570.

Thousands of Muslim men marched through the streets of Blackburn and Nelson earlier this month as part of the Prophey’s birthday celebrations for the holy prophet.

In Blackburn, the march followed a circular route around Audley, after more than 1,000 men gathered at the Jamia Ghosia Mosque in Chester Street.

And in Nelson, around 5,000 people met at the Ghausia Mosque.