The birthday of the Prophet Mohamed (OWBP), founder of Islam, is called Mawlid al-Nabi, or Youman Nabi.  The Muslim calendar sets the time at the 12th day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal.  Prophet Muhammad (OWBP) was born about A. D. 570 and died in A. D. 632. Tribalism was a way of life in the Moslem world before the advent of the Prophet, with much infighting, so he established Islam as a religion with the intention of replacing tribal loyalty with equality among all Muslims.

Angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad in a vision and called him into service as a prophet. During a second visitation by Angel Gabriel Prophet Mohamed (OWBP) was instructed to “magnify thy Lord.” The Prophet then began to preach publicly in Mecca.  His message was received by some, while others ridiculed him. A Prophet is never honoured in his own country and Prophet Mohamed (OWBP) was forced to flee to Yathrib, nearly 200 miles away, in A. D. 622 because of severe persecution from members of his community. This journey, known as the Hegira, is so important that the Muslim calendar begins with the year of the Hegira.

The Prophet’s birthday was first observed during thirteenth century with month-long celebrations.

Muslims began preparing for Youman Nabi, which is being celebrated today, a month ago. According to a press release from the The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), the celebrations also mark the beginning of the Islamic Year 1431 AH, along with the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (OWBP), which is feted on the 12th day of Rabi-ul-Awwal or February 27. Muslims will be visiting their masjids to listen to lectures on the life of the prophet and to partake in a day of togetherness.

In the CIOG release President Fazeel Ferouz and the executives invite all masjids to organise Youmun Nabi functions and deliberate on the relevance of the prophet’s message. The CIOG encourages the nation to participate in the activities.

According to the CIOG President, Youman Nabi celebrations provide an opportunity for the public to understand the message of the Prophet Muhammad (OWBP).
Imam Ferouz said that the moral teachings of the Prophet Muhammad “are not mere theories but practical manifestations of moral principles which are universally relevant and applicable for all times,” the group said.

The CIOG said that the prophet’s message of peace is particularly relevant today as “you cannot change someone’s heart by use of force, but through humility and kindness.” Imam Ferouz also said that the prophet also left guidelines for eradicating racism and prejudice as “we are all one and the difference in our complexion, language and culture are only a sign from Allah and a means of knowing one another,” and that “wealth and social position do not give special status to anyone as all are equal in the eyes of God”.

Philanthropist and entrepreneur, Mr. Sattaur Gafoor, said that the primary message of Prophet Mohamed (OWBP) encapsulates all that is necessary to become a good human being, as unless one is a good human being they cannot belong to the community of Islam, because the Prophet exemplifies and characterizes the way a good human being should live.

According to the GAFSONS Executive Chairman, who spends many days of his overwhelmingly busy schedule strategizing ways by which he could empower the vulnerable in society, the Prophet extolled all believers to treat their fellow humans with love, tolerance, understanding, and compassion.

I was looking at a CIOG programme, and the Imam was explaining that the Prophet adjured all believers to have good character, which incorporates all the positive traits that inherently reside in humankind.  He told a story of a neighbor of the Prophet’s, who always threw garbage in the Prophet’s property.

One day Prophet Mohamed (OWBP) did not see the garbage, and his immediate response was a query of whether the neighbor was sick.  The neighbor was indeed sick, but he was so touched by the concern shown him by the Prophet that he desisted from ever again troubling the Prophet.

All those who profess to belong to this great religion, but yet kill and injure in diverse ways the innocents in the name of the same religion, need to use this as an example of the way their Prophet, the messenger of Allah, wants Moslems to live.

Today all Moslems will prostrate themselves to the will of the Prophet; but it is only the true followers of Prophet Mohamed (OWBP) will heed the lessons he imparted and treat with their fellow human the way he instructed.