Kapilvastu, Oct 30. The 1495th Birth Anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, has been celebrated across the globe including Nepal today.

However, the usual trend of organising various programmes and parties, remembering his preaching, reciting Quran and exchanging best wishes among others on this occasion has been altered due to global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Muslim community has been asked to observe the Day at their home due to the infection, said a Muslim leader, Jamasher Ali Miya. The birth anniversary of Muhammad has been celebrated at Chandrauta, Taulihawa, Krishnagar, Maharajgunj and Bahadurgunj in Kapilvastu district and in various areas of Nepalgunj in Banke district, said a Muslim leader.

In Nepalgunj, the occasion has been observed amid fanfare. Nepalgunj has been decorated in balloons, Islamic flags and electric lights on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Muslim leaders have demanded that the government properly manages the Hajj committee, gives accreditations to Madrasa as other government schools and announces a public holiday on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Muhammad. They lamented that the agreement between the government and the Musalman Joint Struggle Committee to announce a public holiday on this occasion has not been implemented yet.

According to the 2068 BS census, Nepal has a 4.4 percent population of Muslim community of the total population of the country. The Muslim community has spread in all 77 districts in the country, it is said. (RSS)