Libyans celebrate Prophet Mohammed’s birth

Cities across Libya celebrated the birth of the Prophet Mohammed yesterday, despite a fatwa by Libyan group Dar al-Ifta which banned citizens from marking the occasion. Tripoli’s Naka mosque held a ceremony to mark the anniversary, which was attended by Sheikh Abdul Latif Mohalhal. The Libya Scholars Association meanwhile celebrated with storytelling and seminars focusing on the Prophet’s life. On Wednesday evening, Tripoli’s markets and streets witnessed unprecedented crowds with vendors selling fireworks. Some citizens have denounced the ceremonies as a violation of Islamic law, wasting money and risking health. Some were injured as a result of the sale of unsafe explosives. Arabstoday visited Tripoli’s burns hospital on Thursday night, after officials reportedly received more than 165 cases of burns-related injuries from fireworks and other explosives. 10 patients had limbs amputated. The eye hospital meanwhile received 64 cases.