DAMASCUS, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad Thursday participated in the religious ceremony held on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in al-Afram Mosque in Damascus.

After President al-Assad shook hands with the participants, he headed to inside the Mosque where he performed noon prayer led by His Eminence Sheikh Ahmad al-Jazaeri, imam of al-Afram Mosque.

Following the prayers, celebrations started with reciting verses of the Holy Quran by Sheikh Kamal Hawwari.

Minister of Awqaf (Religious Endowments), Dr. Mohammad Abdul-Sattar al-Sayyid elaborated in a speech on the sublime meanings of the birth of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), indicating that the Prophet called for using mind and logic rather than killing and destruction, believed in the freedom of belief and conversed with those who contradicted him.

''As we are celebrating the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), we recall what he went through and how God made him conquer his enemies…We can draw a parallel with our present situation as Syria's enemies are conspiring against it, and we can infer that the homeland will definitely be victorious,'' Minister al-Sayyid said.

The minister called upon the Syrians to take advantage of President al-Assad's call for dialogue as it is a precious opportunity, urging them to follow in the footsteps of Prophet Mohammad.

Sheikh al-Jazaeri concluded the celebration with a prayer for God to protect Syria and bless President al-Assad and help him for the good of this country.

R.Raslan/M. Ismael