IRNA � President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday congratulated his counterparts in the Islamic world on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).


Sending separate messages to the heads of the Islamic states, President Rouhani expressed the hope for deepening unity among Muslim nations.

'Recognizing and countering the extremist and Takfiri thoughts and increasing convergence in fighting violence and extremism, is undoubtedly an important mission of Islamic countries,' the President added.

In his message, the President prayed for dignity of all Muslims.

Muslims hold week-long celebrations worldwide � designated as ?Islamic Unity Week? � to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Sunni Muslims celebrate 12 Rabiul Awwal and Shia Muslims mark 17 Rabiul Awwal as the Prophet's birthday.

The Islamic Unity Week is marked between 12 and 17 of Rabiul Awwal. This period in which Muslims ponder on the fundamental call of unity according to the Holy Quran was initiated by the Founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, following the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979.

Since its inception, the Islamic Unity Week has been marked annually, not only in Iran, but also throughout the world, and has played an important role in bringing the various Islamic Schools of Thought on a single platform.