Islamabad: As the sacred month of Rabi-ul-Awwal is being observed to commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a growing number of residents in the federal capital are turning to digital platforms to participate in Milad and Seerat-related activities.
The trend, described by many as ‘Digital Milad’, has added a new dimension to traditional religious gatherings, with virtual spaces providing an alternative platform for people to join Mehfil-e-Milad, listen to live Naat recitations and attend Seerat conferences.
Across Islamabad, residents from different localities are using Zoom, Facebook Live, YouTube and WhatsApp to organize and participate in spiritual gatherings, enabling people who cannot attend physical events to remain connected with the celebrations.
University students are also playing an active role in the trend by organizing online Naat competitions, Seerat quizzes and live question-and-answer sessions with religious scholars.
Abia, a media student at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), said social media had made religious content more accessible, particularly for younger audiences.
‘We’re using platforms like Instagram and TikTok to share short videos on the life of the Prophet (PBUH) and promote values of peace and compassion,’ she said.
Several mosques in Islamabad are also using digital platforms to reach wider audiences. Some have launched live sessions on Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH), while others are using online channels to facilitate donations for charitable activities during Rabi-ul-Awwal.
Islamic scholars have likewise turned to YouTube and Facebook to deliver special lectures and Seerat sessions, attracting viewers from different parts of the country and abroad.
Sajida, a Qaria from Sector G-10, said Digital Milad should not be viewed as a replacement for traditional gatherings but as an extension of religious devotion.
‘It allows people from different cities, even countries, to come together and celebrate the blessed month,’ she said.
Another Qaria, Ayesha, a resident of Chak Shehzad who conducts online Seerat classes, said technology could serve as a blessing when used to convey the message of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
‘The goal is to educate and unite the Ummah, and digital platforms are proving to be powerful tools in this mission,’ she said.
For families with relatives living abroad, online Milad gatherings are also providing an opportunity to remain spiritually connected. Families from different cities and countries are joining virtual gatherings for collective recitations, Naat and prayers.
Shabina, a resident of F-8, said her son was studying in the United Kingdom and that this was the second consecutive year he had participated in the family’s Milad through a video call.
‘It brings us closer, even when we’re miles apart,’ she said.
Meanwhile, traditional forms of observance, including decorating homes, distributing sweets and attending mosque gatherings, continue across the Capital.
The emergence of Digital Milad reflects changing patterns of religious engagement in urban Pakistan, where increasing access to digital technology is enabling people to participate in religious activities beyond geographical boundaries.
The trend is also expected to gain further popularity as digital literacy increases and families and communities increasingly use online platforms to maintain social and spiritual connections.
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