Muslim Council of Elders' pavilion at the Baghdad International Book Fair celebrates the Prophet’s birthday

"On the Anniversary of His Birth: How Do We Preserve the Prophet in the Unity of His Nation?" — seminar at the Muslim Council of Elders' pavilion at the Baghdad International Book Fair

President of the Scholars League Association in Iraq: We are in urgent need of returning to the Prophet’s noble biography and following his guidance to restore the unity of the Islamic nation

Researcher at the Heritage Revival Office: The blessed memory of the Prophet’s birthday revives the feelings of connection to our beloved Prophet and strengthens in our hearts the meanings of love and attachment to the best of creation

In celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday, the Muslim Council of Elders' pavilion at the Baghdad International Book Fair organized a seminar titled "On the Anniversary of His Birth: How Do We Preserve the Prophet in the Unity of His Nation?" The seminar was presented by Sheikh Hamed Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh Hamad, President of the Scholars League Association in Iraq, and Dr. Mohamed Jamal, Researcher at the Heritage Revival Office at Al-Azhar. The discussion covered many important aspects of the Prophet’s (PBUH) life and emphasized the importance of following his example and Sunnah to unify the Islamic nation amidst contemporary challenges.

Sheikh Hamed Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh Hamad emphasized the greatness of the message brought by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a message intended for all of humanity, not just for a specific group or people. He also highlighted that Muslims today face significant contemporary challenges, which require them to return to the Prophet’s teachings and follow his example in their daily lives. He sent his greetings from Baghdad, on behalf of himself and the scholars of Iraq, to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, in recognition of his call for strengthening intra-Islamic dialogue—an initiative that is crucial in the present day. 

He further noted that unifying the Islamic nation requires deep insight and great wisdom. He stressed the important role the Muslim Council of Elders can play in directing efforts toward achieving this unity. Under the leadership of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Council can serve as a key platform to promote the values brought by the Prophet (PBUH) and foster a culture of dialogue and understanding among different Islamic sects.

Dr. Mohamed Jamal reflected on the significance of the Prophet’s (PBUH) birthday, saying that this blessed occasion rekindles feelings of love and attachment to the Prophet (PBUH) during a time filled with uncertainties. He noted that scholars have extensively documented every aspect of the Prophet’s life, adding that the renowned scholar Dr. Salahuddin Al-Munjid compiled a special encyclopedia cataloging around 2,400 books written about the Prophet (PBUH).

Dr. Jamal also highlighted key aspects of the Prophet’s (PBUH) character, emphasizing that Al-Azhar is at the forefront of religious and academic institutions in the Islamic world in commemorating the Prophet’s birthday. This is done by studying his life, traits, and signs of prophethood and by spreading and teaching his traditions among students. He concluded his remarks by quoting His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders: “The latter part of this nation can only be reformed by what reformed its earlier part. The first thing that united this nation was the establishment of its unity based on religious fraternity, as documented in the Constitution of Medina.”

The seminar concluded by emphasizing that mutual trust and respect among Muslims are essential prerequisites for restoring unity within the Islamic community, thereby preserving the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through the unity of his nation.

The Muslim Council of Elders is participating for the first time at the Baghdad International Book Fair, in line with its mission to promote peace, foster dialogue and tolerance, and build bridges of coexistence among people of different races and beliefs. The pavilion, located in Baghdad Hall (Pavilion H2), showcases over 220 publications in five languages, including 24 new releases that address significant intellectual and cultural topics. Additionally, the pavilion is hosting a series of seminars and lectures featuring prominent thinkers, scholars, and academics to discuss ways to enhance dialogue and understanding among Islamic sects and to build bridges of communication, aiming for greater cooperation and unity among the various components of the Islamic nation.