A joyful religious gathering was held at Tal Afar University in Nineveh Governorate to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). Organized by the Al-Sadiq Intellectual and Cultural Division in Mosul, part of the Religious Affairs Department at the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain, in cooperation with Tal Afar University, the event marked the first stop of the eighth annual “Prophet of Mercy” festival in Nineveh Governorate.

Sheikh Khalil Al-Alyawi, head of the Al-Sadiq Intellectual and Cultural Division, told Karbala Now Agency that the ceremony opened with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcoming address from Dr. Aqeel Al-Araji, president of Tal Afar University.

The program then featured an address by His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Al-Safi, head of the Religious Affairs Department at the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain. He reflected on the life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), highlighting the noble values embodied in his character and message—values that unite Muslims and promote love, solidarity, and mutual respect.

The ceremony also included speeches by a representative of the Sunni Endowment, the Director of Fatwas in Nineveh, and Sheikh Hashim Antar, a member of the Tal Afar Preachers’ Association. The speakers praised the life and message of the Chosen Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), emphasizing the importance of strengthening Muslim unity, promoting harmony, and rejecting division.

The gathering was attended by a distinguished group of religious scholars, community leaders, government officials, tribal figures, civil society representatives, as well as university faculty members and students.

Sheikh Al-Alyawi noted that the gathering reflects the importance of cooperation between religious and academic institutions and serves to reinforce the values of love, harmony, and unity emphasized by Islamic teachings.

Emad Bao