Milad-un-Nabi or Eid-e-Milad is celebrated on the occasion of the birthday of the Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Mohammad Saheb. The festival is observed by many Muslims.

It is also known as Un-Nabi by the name of E-Milad, Nabi Day, Mohammad's birthday, or the Prophet's birthday.

Prophet Muhammad is believed to have been born on the 12th of 573 AD, the third month of Islam, Rabi al-Awwal. Eid-e-Milad is also mourned by some because it is also believed to be the death anniversary of the Prophet.

The full name of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad was Mohammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul Muttalib.

He was born in the city of Mecca. It is believed in 610 AD he attained enlightenment in a cave named Heera near Mecca.

He later preached the teachings of the Quran, the holy book of the religion of Islam.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued below announcement wishing Islam devotees around the world.

"Today is the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad, who showed to the world that benevolence and honesty are the two characteristics that needed for a person to be trusted by everyone.

The profound religion the people believe in and accept has become the basis of the thinking and behavior of mankind in any society.
The life and philosophy of the Prophet Muhammad depicts the rationale of the Islamic belief that the God reveals himself to the people who are sincere, and that the God exalts such persons to suitable and higher places.

I feel that the best way to pay special respect to Prophet Muhammad, who is highly revered by the Islam devotees in Sri Lanka and the world over, is to strive to further disseminate his vision to strengthen coexistence among the people.

It is most timely than ever before to apply the humanitarian philosophy of the Prophet Muhammad maintained throughout his life, towards social welfare today.

May the lives of the Islam devotees around the world, including in Sri Lanka, who revere the exemplary life of the Prophet, be enlightened and prosperous!