Muslim groups denounce use of DJs

Muslim groups denounce use of DJs

Pune: Keeping health of people and environment in mind, Muslim organisations and groups led by the Hazrat Babajan Dargah Trust have launched a massive awareness campaign against the use of loudspeakers and DJ music during processions this year while celebrating Eid-E-Milad or Milad-Un-Nabi i.e. the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, which is scheduled for December 2. 

Around two lakh people participate in such processions. According to police records, around 150 to 180 groups use DJ systems. Each group spends around Rs 2 to 2.5 lakh on music systems, which causes a lot of inconvenience to local residents and commuters on the 4-km stretch of the road passing through Nana Peth, Camp, Ganesh Peth and Shukrawar Peth. Citizens alleged that the police do not enforce rules strictly when it comes to the use of DJs, which has encouraged the groups to use loud music systems for over the last one decade. Now, the groups have been told to spend money on the welfare of needy students, patients, etc, rather than spending it on music.

Mohammad Hussain, Secretary, Babajan Dargah Trust, told Sakal Times, “Four years ago, we had successfully stopped the use of loudspeakers and DJ music during the ‘sandal’ of the dargah, by involving various groups.” 

He further added, “There was opposition then but people understood the ill effects of loud music in a predominantly residential area and stopped using loudspeakers, DJ systems. This year, we are interacting with around 200 groups, organisations, which participate in Prophet Muhammad’s birth anniversary procession, to dissuade them from using loud music.”

It is observed that people play vulgar songs, dance, create nuisance during the procession, which causes great inconvenience to local residents, who close their doors while many of them leave for a picnic with family members to avoid the procession. There are about 30 hospitals along the procession routes. Actually, those participating in the procession should talk about the Prophet’s life and teachings rather than creating inconvenience to others, he added.

Mufti Anwar Sohail of Qamruddin Masjid, Camp, said, “Instead of playing loud music and disturbing people, the event should be observed peacefully.”

The Seerat Committee, Pune, which is the main organiser of the event, has been giving letters to police to stop groups playing DJ music. “This year also, we will submit a letter to the Pune police in this regard and appeal people to not play DJ music or burst firecrackers,” said Rafiuddin Shaikh of the committee.

When contacted, Commissioner of Police Rashmi Shukla welcomed the initiative. “We will encourage people not to use DJ music during the procession,” Shukla told Sakal Times.  

Way ahead

Pamphlets about ‘No DJ Music in Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday procession’ have been circulated across the city. Besides, a letter in this regard has been sent to all the 360 masjids in Pune, asking maulanas to read the message during Friday prayers.

“We are getting very good response from people. Some people are saying that they have already done bookings for DJ, while some are of the view that it has been going on for years, then why to stop now. Some say that youths from their groups will not like it. But we are prevailing over them and asking to spread message of the Prophet. The message of ‘No DJ Music in Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday procession’ has already been read twice during Friday prayer sermons. It will be read during remaining two Friday prayers before the celebrations. The acts during the processions are un-Islamic. The processions are being taken out since pre-Independence days. But problems started in the past one decade when focus shifted to loud music and dance rather than on the teachings, messages of the Prophet,” said Mushtaque Ahmed and Ahmed Sayyed of the Waqf Milkiyat Bachav Committee.

“Then there are people, who are caught in the middle of these loud DJs and argue with participants, which may lead to fights. Last year, I had seen a couple with their two-year-old child in a car caught between two vans carrying DJ systems on MG Road. The child couldn’t bear the loud music. We somehow managed to move the car ahead with the help of the police, as people were not ready to stop the music,” said a local resident from Camp.

‘SPEND RS4 CR ON WELFARE INSTEAD OF MUSIC’
Office-bearers of Muslim groups said around Rs 2 to 2.5 lakh is spent by each group on music systems. A conservative estimate suggests that around Rs 4 crore is spent on music systems. “Instead of music, we are appealing to people to spend the amount on the education of needy students, buy medicines for the poor, give fruits, food to patients at Sassoon Hospital and Yerwada mental hospital,” said Iqbal Ansari, President, All India Muslim OBC organisation.

Enjoyed reading The Bridge Chronicle?
Your support motivates us to do better. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay updated with the latest stories.
You can also read on the go with our Android and iOS mobile app.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
The Bridge Chronicle
www.thebridgechronicle.com