ADDIS ABABA– Executive of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council Sheikh Abdulhamid Ahmed has called on the Muslim community to uphold the centuries-old culture of solidarity and tolerance during the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
Ethiopian Muslims are celebrating the 1499th Mawlid al-Nabi across the nation today.
Approached by the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Sheikh Abdulhamid highlighted Ethiopia’s unique history of peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians. He urged the current generation to maintain this tradition, emphasizing that while disagreements are inevitable, peace is the fundamental principle of Islam.
As Chairman of the National Prophet Muhammad Birth Celebration Committee, Sheik Abdulhamid stated, “Humanity itself brings peace, and Islam’s core message is peace.”
He also called on faithful to help the needy and visit neighbors during the holiday. This year’s celebration at the Grand Anwar Mosque in Addis Ababa will feature educational material donations for low-income students and a feeding program in schools.
The theme for this year’s celebration, “Prophet of Peace,” aims to spread the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings on peace. “When Muslims celebrate, they should promote the culture of solidarity and tolerance that has endured for centuries,” Sheik Abdulhamid said, urging citizens to contribute to the nation’s ongoing journey toward development and peace.
The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council Foreign Relations Head Prof. Adam Kamil echoed these sentiments, calling on all to work together for the nation’s development and to shun divisive thinking. “Now is the time for unity to protect our country from invaders and warmongers,” he stated, encouraging the sharing of meals with the less fortunate during the Mawlid celebration.
Mawlid is an annual festival commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad on the traditional date 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar.
BY MISGANAWASNAKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 15 SEPTEMBER 2024
