- 52 individuals, including a police officer, lost their lives in a blast near a mosque in Baluchistan during a procession commemorating Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. The explosion caused numerous injuries, leading to a state of emergency in nearby hospitals and appeals for blood donations.
- A separate explosion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province killed at least two people and injured six others. This incident occurred during the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, known as Mawlid an-Nabi, which is widely observed in Pakistan but subject to differing interpretations within Islam.
In a tragic incident during a procession commemorating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), at least 52 individuals, including a police officer, lost their lives due to a blast near a mosque in the Mastung district of Baluchistan, a southwestern province in Pakistan.
Pictured: A man mourns the death of his loved one.
The explosion resulted in numerous injuries, with many individuals in critical condition. Disturbing videos circulating on social media and television broadcasts depict a scene near the mosque strewn with the footwear of the deceased and injured, a grim aftermath of the powerful detonation. Some victims were covered with bedsheets, and local residents and first responders hurriedly transported the wounded to hospitals. A state of emergency was declared in these medical facilities, prompting appeals for blood donations.
At a hospital in Quetta, volunteers carry a victim
Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti affirmed that rescue and relief operations were in progress, denouncing the “heinous act” and reiterating the government’s unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance stance against terrorists. President Arif Alvi also condemned the attack and urged authorities to provide comprehensive support to the injured and the families of the victims.
In a separate incident, a second explosion occurred inside a mosque situated in the Hangu district of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This incident claimed the lives of at least two people, leaving six others injured. Government administrator Atta Ullah informed Reuters news agency that the injured individuals had been rushed to nearby hospitals, with some in critical condition.
The celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) birthday, known as Mawlid an-Nabi, is a widely observed tradition in Pakistan. It typically involves religious gatherings, processions, the recitation of poetry and hymns in praise of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and the adornment of homes and mosques. Both Sunni and Shia communities in Pakistan participate in these observances.
However, the celebration of Mawlid is a subject of differing interpretations within Islam. Some scholars argue that there is insufficient historical evidence to support its observance as an established practice during the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) lifetime or immediately after, and therefore, they consider it a form of bid’ah (innovation). Critics of Mawlid celebrations also contend that they can sometimes lead to excesses or inappropriate practices, such as extravagant spending, public displays, or the incorporation of religious and cultural elements that are not in accordance with Islamic teachings.
