To honor the auspicious occasion of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (AWQAF) hosted a celebratory ceremony. The event was attended by His Excellency Dr Omar Habtour Al Derei, Chairman of AWQAF, alongside His Excellency Ahmed Rashid Al Neyadi, Director General of AWQAF, as well as several officials, staff members, and legal scholars from the UAE Council For Fatwa.
On this sacred occasion, His Excellency Dr Omar Al Derei extended his congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court. He also conveyed his best wishes to Their Highnesses, the Members of the Federal Supreme Council, the Rulers of the Emirates, the crown princes, and the people of the United Arab Emirates.
In his keynote address during the celebration, Al Derei reflected on the divine significance of the Prophetic mission. He remarked that when Allah sought to underscore the magnitude of this blessing, He chose a term even more profound than mere grace or bounty, characterising it as a divine favour.
His Excellency said: "Certainly did Allah confer a wonderful favour on the believers, when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves." He noted that the phrase "from themselves" signifies a deep sense of intimacy and shared experience; the one sent to refine human character did not remain a distant observer but lived through the hardships of life, understanding the intricacies of the human soul, the struggles of existence, the depths of sorrow, the avenues of joy, and the complexities of family life. Consequently, this birth represented the genesis of perfected values, with the family being the primary beneficiary of this excellence.
His Excellency further highlighted that the virtues of the Prophet—such as mercy, tranquillity, devotion, and exemplary character—are qualities we strive to witness in our homes today. He emphasised the vital importance of integrating these values into our domestic lives and making the family the centrepiece of all communal discourses and initiatives. This includes strengthening kinship ties, honouring elders, showing tenderness toward the young, and fostering a culture of privacy and forgiveness. He further called for the mosque to serve as a cornerstone for fortifying family values and helping them navigate modern transformations, guiding the youth through the timeless teachings of the Prophet's biography. By connecting the new generation to his noble traits—mercy, patience, bravery, and chivalry—they will come to appreciate their ancestral heritage of generosity and honour, growing up with a steadfast conscience and a deep-seated love for the UAE, expressed through professional excellence, commitment to security, and dedication to the nation.
Held at the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the ceremony featured a diverse programme, including a visual presentation titled The Birth of the Eternal Family and a podcast discussion entitled Our Prophet (PBUH) Through the Eyes of Our Talents. The latter was presented by a group of gifted children from the Mawhoub summer initiative, who explored the Prophet's character and his approach to family and society. Additionally, Imam Walid Al Hammadi delivered a moving lecture on The Prophet’s Devotion to His Family, followed by a poetic tribute to the Prophet (PBUH) recited by the acclaimed poet Abdulrahman Alhemeiri, the recent winner of the Prince of Poets title.
