A Turkish preacher marks the Prophet’s birthday

By Saad Abdul Majid, IOL Correspondent

ISTANBUL, May 2 (IslamOnline.net) – Mosques across Turkey have been adorned with glittering festoons and beaming lights to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Thousands of Turks came in droves to Abu Ayyoub El-Ansari Mosque in Istanbul to mark the occasion, chanting religious songs and reciting verses from the Noble Qur’an.

Traditional Turkish sweets and delights were selling briskly, one of the hallmarks of the celebration in many Muslim countries.

The head of Turkey’s Religious Affairs Committee, Ali Bertak, congratulated the country’s Muslim majority.

"God Almighty has sent the Messenger (PBUH) as a mercy for all people. He is the Prophet, who lies deep in the hearts of all Muslims," he said in a statement.

He said the Muslim youth and the generations to come should learn more about the Prophet Muhammad’s message, follow in his footsteps and model themselves after his ethics.

Hilmi Idin, the deputy director of Kasir Tub Kabi in Istanbul, said the museum has printed a color book about some of the Prophet’s belongings.

An English translation of the unprecedented book will soon be available, he added.