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By SAYED RIDHWAAN MOHAMED
The Universal Mercy Symposium in honour of the 1500 Years Legacy of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) took place on Friday April 11 at the Islamia Auditorium.
Organised by the Cape Town Ulama Board in partnership with Wiselife Academy, Awqaf SA, Cape Town Islamic Educational Centre (CTIEC), (Islamic Peace College South Africa (IPSA), An-Naas Foundation, Muslim Views and Ahlus Sunnah Media Network, the event aimed to delve into the Prophetic teachings and explore how they can be applied in contemporary times to promote unity, compassion and societal harmony.
Distinguished speakers from South Africa and the United Kingdom led discussions on a range of topics tailored to enhance the attendees’ understanding of the Prophetic legacy and its relevance today
Ustaad Maajid delivered a powerful presentation on ‘The Prophetic Blueprint for Uplifting the Ummah’, emphasising the importance of following the Prophetic model in all aspects of life.
Shaikh Fakhrudin Owaisi engaged the audience with his discussion on ‘The Prophet Muhammad’s Mercy Towards Enemies: A Pathway to Conflict Resolution’, shedding light on the Prophetic methodologies for promoting reconciliation and peace.
Head Mufti of the Cape Town Ulama Board, Mufti Sayed Haroon Al Azhari, provided insights on ‘Prophetic Mercy in Marital Relations: Insights for Contemporary Relationship Challenges’,”offering practical guidance for addressing modern-day relationship issues.
Award winning journalist and uthor, Shafiq Morton, captivated the audience with his historical perspective on ‘The Arrival and Transmission of the Prophetic Legacy in South Africa’, showcasing the role the awliya (saints) played in preserving Prophetic teachings in the Cape.
Lastly, Shaikh Sadullah Khan, CEO of Islamia College, touched on the ‘Universality of the Prophetic Mission’, highlighting the global impact of Prophet Muhammad’s teachings on humanity.
The Symposium also featured engaging poetry performances by Hassan Ahmed from the UK, Sayed Haseen-ud-Deen Ziyaee, Sayyidah Maliha and Sayyidah Mariha, including a moving nasheed titled ‘Mercy of the Worlds’ penned by Mufti Sayed Haroon Al Azhari. Tasmiyyah Allykotty shared a poignant English poem titled ‘Rahmatul Lil Alamien’, further emphasising the theme of mercy and compassion in the Prophetic teachings.
The partner organisations, Wiselife Academy, Awqaf SA, CTIEC, and Ahlus Sunnah Media Network, played a crucial role in coordinating the Symposium and ensuring its success. Through their collaboration, the event provided attendees with a platform to deepen their understanding of the Prophetic legacy and inspire them to embody the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in their daily lives.
The Symposium served as an enlightening and enriching experience for all those in attendance, fostering a greater appreciation for the timeless teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and their significance in creating a more compassionate and harmonious society.
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The Symposium, while an independent event, formed part of the commemoration of the ‘1500 Years of the Prophetic Legacy’.
In the 1500th lunar year of the advent of the final Messenger, a series of programmes are planned to be held through the year to commemorate the legacy of the Prophet (PBUH) at a local and global level. This will be coordinated by the commission of The LEGACY PROJECT 1500. Programmes envisaged are international Qur’anic recitals and nasheed, a national school speech contest and an international essay competition on the legacy of the Prophet. In addition, there will be the publication of a 40 hadith book containing universal wisdom from the Prophet, exhibitions of art and Prophetic relics, an evening of sacred sound at the Cape Town International Convention, and an international conference on the civilisational heritage of the Prophet.
