IN PICTURES: More than 1,000 parade through Dudley to celebrate birth of prophet Muhammad

Well-wishers met at Dudley Central Mosque for the event yesterday lunchtime celebrating one of the highlights of the Islamic calender.

Flags and banners were waved proudly as generations of families and friends set off from the mosque, in Castle Hill, opposite Dudley Zoo.

Despite the cold temperatures and foggy conditions, organisers said the parade had been a great success.

They took a circular route around the town including along King Street during the hour-long parade through the streets.

People then arrived back at the mosque for a day of celebratory events and food. Scholars came to the mosque to speak to those gathered during the day too.

Dudley Central Mosque chairman Muhammed Aurangzeb paid thanks to people for coming from across the West Midlands to support the event.

"The event marks the birth of the prophet Muhammed who was the messenger of the god Allah," he said.

"He taught Muslims around the world to respect other people and that is what we take with us today.

"There were more than 1,000 who came out to the parade which was great.

"It is very much a family event and that is what is should be about. It is a celebration event and we have a lot of people come from different areas to take part with us.

"There was food served for people to and it was a day long event at the mosque after the parade.

"The birth of the prophet Muhammed is celebrated around the world at this time so it is great to be able to have an event here in Dudley also."

The celebration, known as Milad an-Nabi, is held around the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi al-Awwa. In 2015, the holiday over last weekend.