'Religion is one no matter the faith'

MOSLEMS and Christians should work together as one family as they are creations of the same Almighty Father (Peace Be Upon Him), an Islamic leader has said.

Sheikh Al-Hajj M K Jula said this on the sidelines of the Milad N'nabiy (celebrations held in honour of the birth of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) that were held at the main Islamic temple in the city of Kadoma recently.

"Christians and Moslems are people of the book. Moslems also believe in Jesus as a holy prophet of God. Christians should also believe in Muhammad as a holy prophet of God. The mission is to invite the people nearest to God.This is knowing God the Creator," Sheikh (pronounced Sher ) Jula explained.

The celebrations are an annual event on the Moslems calendar to mark the birth of Prophet Muhammad (May Almighty Be Pleased With Him)

"The Prophet (May Almighty Be Pleased With Him) was born in 570 A.D. Now there was a difference in opinion among the Moslem community with some saying that he was born on 12 Rabil' Awal while others are of the view that he was sired five days later, on 17 Rabil' Awal," he said.

To avert unneccessary conflict among the Moslem community, both assertions were considered. The unifying decision was that the birth of Prophet should be celebrated from 12 to 17 Rabil' Awal inclusive.

Said Sheikh Jula:" We celebrate the birth of our Prophet (May Almighty Be Pleased With Him) from 12 Rabil' Awal to 17 Rabil' Awal to accommodate the opinions of all Moslems. This was done as a way to unify the people and avoid unnecessary conflict."

He revealed that the celebrations are held from one center to another during Shaban until Ramadan ( The month of Fasting).

Moslems from various places converge at one mosque for the celebrations. The merry-making begins on the eve of the main day. Guests are warmly received and accommodated. There is general happiness and enjoyment until the next morning when the real celebrations are held.

The head of that centre does not preach on the day. This is done as a way to show respect and appreciation of the other heads who would have come to their temple. A visiting head is given the chance to preach.

This goes on on a rotational basis until all the temples have been covered. A guest head comes along with his congregation.

Sheikh Jula quoted verses from both the Holy Qur'an and the Holy Bible which assert the view that surely Christians and Moslems are one. He cited Mark 12 v 28-30 from the Holy Bible which makes reference to Jesus Christ as a prophet of God.

Furthermore, he made reference to the Holy Qur'an 112 v 1 to the end which show that Prophet Muhammad is a true prophet of God.

He mentioned that both Jesus Christ and Prohet Muhammad were humans but had divine methods of doing things. Anything they did, said or preached was spiritual and from the Almighty God.

To demonstrate the essence of unity between the Christian community and Moslem fratenity, Prophet Muhammad mentions the name of Jesus Christ more than his in the Holy Qur'an. On the other hand Jesus Christ is concerned about all of us as articualted in the Lord's Prayer.

"The history of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) who recognized Jesus and accepted him thus were the Christians in the city of Medinna." he added.

"If the Christians understand this they should embrace the Moslems and vice-versa. We should understand that there were 23 999 prophets from Adam to Jesus Christ. Prophet Muhammad was number 24 000."

Sheikh Jula revealed that he went on a pilgrimage to Mount Arafat in Mecca (Makah) in 1991 were Adam and Eve lived.

He also explained the reason why Moslems face the same direction when they take their prayers.

"All Moslems in the whole world worship God facing the same direction. This is the direction where the House of God called Ka'ba built by Abraham is located,"he explained.