Jamat Ul-Vida Mubarak, it's celebration, significance and history.

The Jamat Ul-Vida, which began as an independent charity, was reorganized in 1978 by Hamza Mohammad Yar Khan, an influential Islamist leader and supporter of Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1969–77), as the Islamic Political Movement of Pakistan (Jamat Ul-Vida) with Jamat being the main component of the organization. In 1985 Jamat Ul-Vida lost political clout after it lost its headquarter at Karachi and most of its activists were arrested and jailed. By 1986 Jamat Ul-Vida was banned in Pakistan and the leadership of the Jamat Ul-Vida had already been formed into the Jamat Ulema-e Islam (JUI). Today, a number of Islamic political parties in Pakistan claim to be independent foundations of the Jamat Ul-Vida.

Since then, Jamat Ul-Vida has operated in Islamic revivalist circles. In 1993 the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI tried to arrest JUI leader Khurram Zaki. As a result, many mosques, madrasahs and religious organizations operated by the Jamat Ul-Vida were raided, their members were arrested and the Jamat Ul-Vida's major head office, located in Karachi, was ransacked.[6] JUI leader Khurram Zaki was not arrested, and the Jamat Ul-Vida came out openly against the anti-Islamist ISI, claiming that the agency had repeatedly violated Islamic religious principles by destroying mosques and religious institutions.[7] In 2003, Jamat Ul-Vida severed all ties with the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (JUI) after JUI denounced Khurram Zaki as a traitor.

Jamat Ul-Vida celebration in Borhelkhana

Jamat Ul-Vida has won support from ordinary people who have come to Borhelkhana to celebrate.

The celebrations begin at dusk and go on until dawn. Jamat Ul-Vida, translated as “our caliphate”, celebrates the birth of Islamic prophet Muhammad and continues until the end of Ramadan. In Pakistan, Jamat Ul-Vida has been celebrated for more than a century.

In India too, celebrations are held on a similar day – Jamat Ul-Fataa – and typically last several days. The festival has the backing of the Indian Government who actively support and participate in the events.

Jamat Ul-Fataa celebrations in Mumbai’s Jamia Nagar in 2013.

Over the last 10 years, Jamat Ul-Vida celebrations have grown rapidly across India. These celebrations begin earlier than in Pakistan, so by the time Pakistan celebrates Jamat Ul-Fataa, the celebrations will have already ended. They typically last over a week. In India, though, Jamat Ul-Vida celebrations are generally much smaller and are only allowed in certain areas of Delhi and other states.

The festival is hosted by an umbrella organisation called Ul-Rahama – short for “communal harmony”. Though a charity, it is heavily funded by Islamic organisations. It regularly celebrates the birth of Muhammad and Ul-Vida.

Urging people to follow Islamic teachings, they chant, “O Allah, bless us with Your light and guide us to deliverance from the ever spreading darkness!”

In the crowd at Borhelkhana, people gather for prayers before heading to the fest.

Every year, thousands of Muslims attend Jamat Ul-Vida celebrations in Borhelkhana. This year is no different. But instead of asking Muslims to stick to the Islamic teachings, a lot of Muslims in Pakistan and India are simply joining in.

Jamat Ul-Vida in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad

Photographs of Jamat Ul-Fataa celebrations in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, appeared on Facebook and Twitter. They sparked reactions from people on both sides of the border. Most of them were impressed by the celebrations.

“Proud of Pakistani Muslim brothers who are celebrating Jamat Ul-Fataa in Islamabad’s Jamia Naeemia University. Hope for peace amongst Muslims will spread!”, commented on Twitter a person with the name Shafeeq Jamali.

Filmmaker Hamid Saeed Akhtar reacted to one of the photographs by saying, “The brightness of Jamat Ul-Vida celebrations in Borhelkhana makes my heart rejoice…I have witnessed in India what these celebrations are like…a victory of great spiritual glory for millions of Muslims who are fighting for their rights…”

In fact, some Indians reacted positively to the photos too. “Amazing!! I am happy that India and Pakistan have now similar festivals. May Allah accept them as Jamat Ul-Fataa also. Peace is a great blessing,” commented a man named Sharvil Sharma.

Meanwhile, Jamat Ul-Fataa celebrations continue at Borhelkhana for hours.

Visitors come to participate in celebrations of Jamat Ul-Fataa in Mumbai’s Jamia Ul-Fataa.

Significance

For Jamat Ul-Fataa to be held successfully, people need to spend a lot of money. Many Muslims organise bazaars and jamat bhaloo in many parts of Pakistan and India.

In India, Jamat Ul-Fataa celebrations can be seen across different parts of Delhi’s Jamia Ul-Fataa mosque in Kani Sarwar, Bulandshahr. Several mosques are hosting Ul-Fataa celebrations in the Capital Region, Mumbai’s Jamat Ul-Fataa at Jamia Ul-Fataa Mosque and Jamat Ul-Fataa at Ul-Haade-E-Jaan in North India’s Allahabad.

Receiving donations during the Jamat Ul-Fataa celebrations in Allahabad.

Jamat Ul-Fataa celebrations in Mumbai’s Jamia Ul-Fataa mosque in 2013.

Although Ul-Fataa festivals started in the early 1900s in Delhi and many parts of the country, they were formally banned in the late 1950s. Still, Jamat Ul-Fataa celebrations are not limited to Delhi and a few parts of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. People gather to celebrate in cities across the country.

In fact, although Jamat Ul-Fataa celebrations are traditionally held in North India, Ul-Vida festivities are also held in cities like Bangalore.

A message from an organisation called Jamat Ul-Vida said they celebrate the birth of Muhammad only after paying respect to his wife, Ayesha.