The Prophet of Islam (PBUH) was born on the 17th day of the lunar calendar month of Rabi-ul-Awwal in 570 CE. This year, the day fell on Saturday, when the faithful rejoiced nationwide.
On Friday, Irans President Hassan Rouhani wrote separate messages of felicitation to the leaders of other Muslim countries, congratulating them on the occasion.
He hoped that the occasion ushers in expanded bonds of fraternity among Muslim nations and said Muslim countries had to avail themselves of the Prophets legacy of devotion to further introduce Islams visage of mercy to the rest of the world.
The birth date of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) coincides with that of Imam Jafar Sadiq (PBUH), the Sixth Shia Imam.
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President Hassan Rouhani (3rd-L) attends the inauguration of the 30th International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran alongside foreign dignitaries, in Tehran, December 15, 2016.[/caption]According to the Sunni narrative, the birth date of the Prophet (PBUH) falls on Rabi-ul-Awwal 12. As per a call made by the late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini, the week in between the two dates is marked each year as the Islamic Unity Week to promote convergence among Muslims.
During this week, the followers of the two main branches of Islam gather to honor Islams message of peace and humanity and express their love and affection for their Prophet (PBUH).
The Islamic Republic holds an International Islamic Unity Conference on an annual basis. This year witnessed the colloquiums 30th edition, with senior officials from Muslim countries and Shia and Sunni scholars in attendance.
