Sri Lanka marked the birth of Prophet Muhammad on Monday, with national observances held in Negombo and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasizing the religious teachings' relevance to contemporary governance and social challenges.
Milad-un-Nabi, commemorating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, was observed across Sri Lanka on Monday. According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 570 CE and died in Medina in 632 CE. The observance takes place during Rabi' al-awwal, the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
National celebrations were centered at Al-Hilal Central College in Negombo Periyamulla this afternoon, bringing together the Muslim community to honor the founder of Islam. The occasion provides an opportunity for practitioners to reflect on the Prophet's life and teachings, which are understood within the faith as a comprehensive framework addressing spiritual, social, and ethical dimensions of human existence.
President Dissanayake issued a message acknowledging the significance of the day, stating that the Prophet's teachings offer valuable principles for building an equitable society founded on rule of law and justice. The President connected the religious observance to current national priorities, noting that Islamic principles reject moral corruption and support efforts to strengthen social ethics. He referenced the government's ongoing campaign against drug abuse, positioning the Prophet's ethical teachings as aligned with initiatives to combat this societal challenge.
