Turkey celebrates Mawlid, birth of Prophet Muhammad

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu and Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Monday evening celebrated the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, a day of spiritual significance in Islam.

"We remember today our beloved prophet, who has been sent to humanity as messenger and advisor," said Parliament Speaker Binali Yildirim in a statement.

"We should work to dominate our lives with goodness and kindness," he added.

Ali Erbas, head of Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate, issued a message congratulating the Mawlid of all citizens.

Erbas said with the birth of Prophet Muhammad, humanity regained its lost morals and values.

"Today, if mankind meets the values that he has brought, humanity will find peace," he said.

The top cleric said Muslims should introduce the Islamic principles of kindness, mercy, fairness, good morals and coexistence to the world which is struck by wars and conflict.

Muslims of all ages flocked to mosques to pray and recite poems dedicated to the prophet on the occasion known as Mawlid al-Nabawi.

Religious programs were organized at mosques across Turkey, including Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Edirne, Gaziantep, Hatay, Konya, Hakkari and Sanliurfa.

On this sacred night, Muslims say their prayers and read the Holy Quran in their homes and mosques.

Muslims across the world celebrate the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, with the day varying from country to country according to the lunar calendar. The prophet passed away on the same day as that of his birth, at the age of 63.

The day is a public holiday in several Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and some parts of India.