Sabiha Fatima/Begaluru

Karnataka Chief Minister  Siddaramaiah said Prophet Muhammad’s teachings had brought revolutionary changes in human history for 1500 years. Quoting Vinoba Bhave’s famous saying that Prophet Muhammad was a Shantidoota (A messenger of peace), CM said that Islam was a peaceful religion.

Drawing parallels of the Life and message of the Prophet Muhammad with Basavanna’s preaching of equality and peace, CM said “tolerance strengthens human growth and is enshrined in the Constitution.”

Basavanna is a 12th century philosopher, poet, Lingayat social reformer and exponent of the Shiva-focused bhakti movement, who is revered in many parts of Karnataka.

“Prophet Muhammad preached peace, compassion, and harmony, just as Basavanna worked for equality. Humanity grows when tolerance thrives. Let us live in unity, upholding the Constitution’s spirit.”

Muslim leaders with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah 

On the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that the Prophet created equality across all communities and that he stood for the downtrodden and helpless.

He said, “Every religion teaches peace. Every prayer points to one God. No religion asks us to cause pain to others. Like the Prophet’s teachings, our duty is to preserve harmony in this country. Muslims need not think of themselves as a minority — you are doctors, professionals, and leaders. Together we must work for the unity and integrity of this nation.”

They were speaking at the 1500th International Meelad-un-Nabi Conference 2025, organised under the banner of the Joint Meelad Committee – comprising the Juloos-e-Mohammadi Committee Bengaluru, All Karnataka Meelad Va Juloos Rahmathul Lil Aalameen Committee Bengaluru, and All Karnataka Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama Bengaluru.

The historic day-long event was held on September 5 at the Palace Grounds, Bengaluru, where thousands of people from across Karnataka, including Gulbarga, Raichur, and Hubli, gathered to mark the 1500th birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad.

The conference witnessed the presence and felicitation of several prominent leaders and scholars, including:

Besides the chief minister, his ministers and officials, many Islamic scholars from across India participated in the Conference.

Some of them are: Prof. Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sajjad Alam (Kolkata), Maulana Tauseef Raza (Bareilly), Mufti Faiz Raza Khan (Bareilly),  Hazrat Allama Peer Syed Mohammad Khasim Ashraf Baba, and Kerala scholar Ibrahim Khaleel Thangal.

SYS State President Basheer, State Secretary K.M. Siddiq, Jaffar Noorani, Siddiqi, and Maulana Imdad Ulla  Imam Jama Masjid, Maulana Abdul Qadir.

The Conference on the life of Prophet Muhammad

Speaking on the occasion, Mufti Sajjad Alam reminded the audience that in Masjid-e-Nabawi, one group worshipped while another learned. He said, “The solution to today’s crises lies in the Seerah. Humanity’s challenges must be answered by studying the Prophet’s life. Islam teaches that knowledge, compassion, and peace must go hand in hand.”

Ibrahim Khaleel Thangal (Kerala) described CM Siddaramaiah as a role model for communal harmony.

Syed Mohammad Khasim Ashraf Baba said, “The Prophet lifted the fallen, healed the broken, restored the bond between Creator and creation, and taught humanity the art of living. Wealth and power mean nothing unless they benefit others. Islam is the religion of peace, and even simple teachings like not wasting water guide us to sustainability.”

Dr. Abdul Hakeem Azhari (Shehzada Sheikh Musliyar) reminded that Islam continues to attract followers due to the Prophet’s unmatched character. He said:

“Even those who came to kill him became his admirers. This is the strength of his compassion and peace.”

Maulana Abdul Qadir, Imam of Jama Masjid, underlined the honour of naat khwans and said: “Allah raised the Prophet to the highest rank, and He also granted dignity to those who praise him. In every couplet, the message is of love, compassion, and peace.”

The conference featured a soulful naat by Md. Moinuddin, Md. Junaid Ashrafi Kalkattavi, and Md. Baqar

On this occasion, SYS leaders Basheer Siddiq, and Noorani launched an Ambulance Service.

The 1500th International Meelad-un-Nabi Conference was presided over by Al-Haj Ameer Jaan Qadri (Chairman, Markaze Ahle Sunnath Jamia Hazrat Bilal, Bengaluru) and moderated by Maulana Zulfikhar Noori and Maulana N.K.M. Shafi Saadi.

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The event concluded with prayers for peace, harmony, and the resolve to uphold the Prophet’s teachings in daily life.