ABOUT 7,000 Muslims took to the streets of Blackburn today to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed with a walk through the town.

The march, which has run for more than 20 years, began in Oak Street, Bastwell, and ended at the Jaame Masjid Islamic Cultural Centre Mosque, Chester Street, with prayers, food and refreshments.

Organised by members of the Naqshbandiya Spiritual Centre, Pringle Street, the walk also celebrated the teachings of Sheikh Khawaja Sufi Mohammad Aslam, a grand spiritual master who moved to Blackburn in the 1980s. He died in 1999.

Zahid Ahmad, one of the organisers, said: “It is with his blessing we have got all these people here today.

“We would like to say a big thank you to Lancashire Constabulary for all their efforts.

"To get 7,000 people to walk from one side of Blackburn to the other takes some organising!

“It’s a peaceful march, which grows every year, and we’re very grateful to everybody who has participated and the people who came to watch.”

Muhammad Shazad Hussain travelled down from Glasgow to join the walk.

He said: “I come every year. Today is the greatest day of them all.”

Zahid Ibrahim from Bolton said the event was a celebration of peace.

He said: “The main thing is offering love, peace and harmony to all mankind.”

Sergeant John Rigby organised the policing of the march.

He said: “It’s an event we have run for a number of years with the Pringle Street Centre and many people from across the UK get invited.

"They leave Blackburn with good thoughts in their minds because they get well looked after.

"We would just like to thank any motorists who were held up for being patient and hope it wasn't too long for them.”