Meelad-Un-Nabi messages

Holy Prophet epitomised peace and harmony - President

THE importance of brotherhood and tolerance taught by the Holy Prophet Mohammed, will guide us in the enormous task of rebuilding our nation, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga stated in a Meelad-Un-Nabi message.

"The basic teachings of the Holy Prophet to mankind were peace and harmony. Prophet Mohammed strove hard to guide humanity along the right path amidst immense hardships during his lifetime.

Mutual understanding, brotherhood, helping one another and above all tolerance were the great virtues He practised and preached," the message said.

The message: "Across the globe the millions of followers of Islam today celebrate Holy Prophet Mohammed's birth anniversary. it is a significant day in the Islamic calendar. "The Meelad-Un-Nabi celebration is one of our national events; it is celebrated all around Sri Lanka.

This year many of our Muslim brethren in the coastal areas observe Meelad-Un-Nabi in the wake of the worst natural disaster in living memory. I am confident the importance of brotherhood and tolerance taught by the Holy Prophet Mohammed, will guide us in the enormous task of rebuilding our nation.

My warm wishes and greetings go out to all our Muslim brethren who today celebrate the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet."

Many lessons can be drawn from Holy Prophet's life - PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse in a message to mark Prophet Mohamed's birthday today said there are many lessons we could learn from the teachings of Prophet Mohamed to make our lives successful.

The Prime Minister's message said:

"The Muslims world over celebrate Meelad-Un-Nabi, the birthday of Holy Prophet Mohamed today with joy and devotion.

It was Prophet Mohamed who united the Arab people as a united nationality with a singular purpose and objective at a time they were divided into thousands of tribes.

He was able to transform such people, eternally engaged in tribal warfare, into a strong nationality holding sway over a massive region in the world.

There are many lessons we could learn from the teachings of Prophet Mohamed. We could use them to make our lives successful.

I take this opportunity to extend my greetings and sincere good wishes to the Muslim Community in Sri Lanka who join Muslims throughout the world to celebrate Meelad-Un-Nabi today."

Prophet Mohammed dedicated his life for liberation of humanity

From Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Vijitha Herath.

I have great pleasure in issuing a message of greetings in connection with Meelad-un-Nabi, Prophet Mohammed's birthday, which is being celebrated on a grand scale by Muslims throughout the world today.

Whatever national and religious differences may be there among the human race they have a common esteem for human values among them.

The teachings of Prophet Mohammed who dedicated his life for the welfare and liberation of humanity by extolling the values of brotherhood and generosity also disclose the need for a disciplined society nurtured by such values.

Therefore the teachings of Prophet Mohammed are most significant for present times more than ever before to strengthen the network of human values which had been degenerating day-by-day due to the current socio-economic environment.

His teachings are also important to promote inter-dependence, co-existence and peace among communities. I wish to extend my sincere greetings on this occasion when the Muslims throughout the world are celebrating the birthday of Holy Prophet Mohammed.

'He ensured all were treated alike'

From Alavi Mowlana, Governor, Western Province and Senior Advisor to President on Muslim Affairs

"Oh Muslim" do not deviate from the Teachings of Seyyed el Kawnayn (Lord of Two Worlds)

Today, marks an important day in the Islamic Almanac. The mercy to the mankind Holy Prophet (Sal) was born on a day such as today. (Rabee-ul-Awwal-12)

His advent in this world at a time when human values were degenerating to the lowest ebb was most propitious. He declared that the humanity is the vicegerent of Almighty Allah so as to spell out the status of human being. Gender discrimination was totally abhorred by him.

Women were given equal rights as that of men. He ensured that all poor and rich were treated alike. In the Divine Presence nothing matters except virtue and excellence.

People used to ask his wife Seyyidathi Ayesha Radhiyallaha Anha how the Holy Prophet of Islam lived at home. "Like an ordinary man" she answered.

"He would sweep the house, stitch his own clothes, mend his own sandals, water the camels, milk the goats, help the servants at their work, eat his meals with them and he would go to fetch a thing that we needed from the market."

Such is the life of a sacred soul at whose command the powerful empires would shake.

According to the saying of Holy Prophet Sallalahu Alaihiwasallam. There would be number of Dajjals (deceiver - imposter) in the Islamic History. The nature of dajjals is precisely the deformation of truth into its exact opposite and complete inversion of spirituality.

They were there even during the lifetime of Holy Prophet (Sal). Allah describes them as "Like propped up pieces of wood" (63.4) Holy Prophet once found that some lukewarm Muslims had founded a separate Mosque at Quba.

This place was called "The mosque of Dissension". He ordered that it be burned down along with its occupants.

It is sad irony of fact that the danger to Islam emanates within us. Holy Quran and Holy scriptures are interpreted according to one's own thinking. The authority and rulings of righteous Imams are flouted. Places of worship have turned out to be Platforms to articulate strange and weird ideas.

I fear that very soon lawlessness and anarchy would set into our community if proper action is not taken right now. People who try to bring sense are labelled as "Grave worshippers". My humble appeal to each one of our Muslim brethren is that not to fall prey to designing cliques. We can lose everything but not our Imam.

"May the Graces of Allah, His peace, His solutions, His mercy and His Blessings Be on our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sal). Your Servant - Your Prophet and Your Messenger the Un-lettered Prophet (Sal) and on his family and his companions. Graces as numerous as the even the odd and as the Perfect and Blessed words of our Lord."

"Sallalahu Al Muhammad Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam".

'Remember sufferings of internally displaced Muslims'

From Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Rehabilitation and District Development (Vanni)

Today is the day of the birth of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) and is being observed by Muslims throughout the world. It gives me great pleasure in extending this message of felicitation to mark our great leader's birth anniversary.

The believers of Islam recognise that Islam is one of the greatest religions in the world. Our Prophet Mohammad is the last of the Prophets who underwent immense hardships in his preaching to bring scattered people of his time under one umbrella and was able to accomplish the message of Almighty Allah to its entire perfection.

Prophet Mohammad's preaching was mainly based on peace and harmony that was made possible to bring about unity amongst the divided groups of his time. His great teaching of Islam is most essential factor today in our country in solving our burning ethnic conflict in order to bring about lasting peace.

Sri Lanka, being a multi-ethnic and multi-racial country has recognised Meelad-un-Nabi celebrations as one of its National events and it has been celebrated in various districts of the country over the last two decades.

I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for giving me the opportunity of holding this year's Meelad-un-Nabi celebrations in my electoral District of Vanni.

This is the first time that these celebrations are to be held in the Vanni. Elaborate arrangements are being made to hold these celebrations in Vavuniya and Mannar in August 2005.

I will fail in my endeavour, if I don't remember the sufferings of the internally displaced Muslims at this hour of joy. By the grace of Almighty, several projects have been earmarked for the benefit of the displaced persons to be resettled in their places of origin in order to coincide with the celebrations.

In order to expedite the resettlement program, the President has recently set up a Special Unit for Resettlement under my Ministry. On behalf of my people, I extend a special word of gratitude to the President who has always been in the forefront towards the suffering lot of this country.

My Ministry, in association with the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs is jointly making arrangements to celebrate the National Meelad-un-Nabi and the event of celebrating this day today (22.04.2005) will continue until the National celebrations in the Vanni.

I also take this opportunity to wish the main celebrations every success in the midst of remembering the internally displaced Muslims by wishing all success for their happy living in their own traditional land in the near future.