Prophet Muhammed's birthday messages

Let us build a new Sri Lanka - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message to mark Holy Prophet Muhammed's birthday celebrations, requested the support of all Muslims who are followers of Islam to build a new Sri Lanka of tolerance, understanding and reconciliation for helping the country's development process.

The President said: "I am pleased to send this message of greetings to the followers of Islam in Sri Lanka, as they join their brethren in faith the world over, to celebrate Meelad-un-Nabi, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammed.

"This is an occasion for Muslims to reflect upon the teachings of the Holy Prophet that laid emphasis on Peace and Harmony and the embodiment of all that is noble, encompassing kindness, selflessness and charity among other values seen in the life of the Holy Prophet.

Sri Lanka celebrates Meelad-un-Nabi as a national event and celebrations this year are held at Kalkuda in the Batticaloa District with due emphasis on the religious and cultural activities of the Muslim population there."

"Muslims of Sri Lanka will have greater joy in the celebration of this important event this year as they are now able to do so in a peaceful environment in all parts of the country with the establishment of democracy throughout Sri Lanka. We look forward to the spirit of brotherhood and amity taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammed in helping to build a new Sri Lanka of tolerance, understanding and reconciliation and thereby helping Sri Lanka's development process.

"I send my warmest greetings to the followers of Islam in Sri Lanka on this important day with an appeal to play an active role for the strengthening of peace, mutual understanding and tolerance among the communities."

Peace, co-existence among humanity - PM

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka in a message to mark the birthday celebration of Holy Prophet Muhammed states: "It is with great pleasure that I issue this message to mark the birthday celebrations of a great teacher who created peace and co-existence among humanity.

"The history of Islam points out that he was born in the sacred city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia long time ago. Although he suffered immense difficulties in his childhood he became an exemplary character which only said the truth.It was in honour of his sincerity that he was also known as Al Amin. This helped to cultivate faith and truth in the Muslims to generate a feeling of strength among them.

Guidance of such virtuous characters is in dire need for our country today because it is poised on a new path after ending terrorism which engulfed the country in darkness for several decades.

"We can pay attention to human strength by celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammed who was a great philosopher, religious leader and preacher. "While joining in these celebrations I wish to reiterate the importance of protecting the essence of humanism.

"Virtuous men who can remain in the hearts of people for centuries are very rare. "Prophet Mohamed is such a heroic character."