A discussion meeting was held in the capital on Saturday to mark Eid-e-Miladunnabi (PBUH) and Islamic Unity Week (12-17 Rabiul Awal), with speakers calling for following the teachings and ideals of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to strengthen unity among Muslims.

The discussion, titled “Arrival of the Prophet: A Beacon of Guidance and Unity”, was organised jointly by the Cultural Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Dhaka and the Bangladesh Imamia Ulama Society at the auditorium of the National Kazi Nazrul Islam Institute on Saturday afternoon.

Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi attended the programme as the chief guest.

Vice-Chancellor of Global University Bangladesh Prof Dr Anisuzzaman, former chairman of the Department of Philosophy at Dhaka University and president of Al-Quds Committee Bangladesh Dr Shah Kawsar Mustafa Abul Ulaei, and Bangladesh representative of Al-Mustafa International University in Dhaka Hojjatul Islam wal-Muslimeen Shahabuddin Mashayekhi Rad attended the event as special guests.

Khatib of Gawsul Azam Jame Mosque in the capital and Sheikhul Hadith Maulana Abdur Razzaq was the keynote speaker while Hojjatul Islam wal-Muslimeen Syed Ibrahim Khalili Rajavi, principal of Khulna Islamic Education Centre and president of Bangladesh Imamia Ulama Society, chaired the programme.

Cultural Counsellor of the Iran Cultural Centre in Dhaka Dr Mahdi Maulayi Arani delivered the welcome address.

The speakers said that when humanity was facing a grave crisis during the Age of Ignorance in Arabia, Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from the Quraysh tribe of Makkah as a messenger of liberation for humanity.

They said the Prophet showed the path of salvation to people living in a world shrouded in darkness and established human rights. He was a mercy to the entire world, as the Holy Quran describes him as *“Rahmatullil Alamin”* — a mercy for all worlds.

The speakers said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) possessed the highest moral character, while his integrity, compassion and human qualities attracted people to Islam.

Through his exemplary conduct and leadership, people from different classes and professions in society were brought together under the banner of Islam, they said.

They observed that the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) represent the finest example for humanity.

“If his ideals and teachings are properly followed, divisions and conflicts among Muslims can be reduced significantly,” they said.

The speakers stressed that following the Prophet’s (PBUH) ideals is essential for the Muslim Ummah to move towards unity, peace and progress.