Simultaneously with the commemoration of the 47th Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and the 1500th Anniversary of the Birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH) Conference was successfully organized in Bhiwandi, a suburb of Mumbai, as part of strengthening academic and cultural cooperation between Iran and India.

The conference was jointly organized by the Bhiwandi Weavers’ Education Society and Samadiya College of Arts & Commerce, in collaboration with the Cultural House of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Mumbai. This scientific and cultural event was held at Yunus Samad Auditorium and witnessed the active participation of students, faculty members, scholars, and intellectuals.

The primary objective of the conference was to highlight the life, teachings, and moral values of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and to emphasize their enduring relevance in contemporary society, particularly in promoting peace, ethics, social harmony, and interfaith understanding.

The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, setting a spiritual tone for the proceedings. In his address, Maulana Ahmadullah Salafi emphasized the importance of respecting the rights of parents and underscored the relevance of this fundamental Islamic principle in today’s social context. Following this, Maulana Akhtar Sultan Islahi, speaking on the theme “Love for the Prophet and Its Requirements,” stated that genuine love for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) must be reflected not merely in words but in the practical adoption of his values and teachings in everyday life.

As the Chief Guest, Mr. Mohammad Reza Fazel, Director of the Cultural House of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Mumbai, highlighted the importance of cultural dialogue and intellectual exchange. He emphasized the universal message of peace, humanity, and compassion embodied in the life of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and appreciated the growing academic and cultural cooperation between the Iranian Cultural House and Samadiya College.

In his presidential address, Maulana Awsaf Falahi, Nazim-e-Zila of Jamaat-e-Islami, Thane, focused on the universal teachings of the Holy Quran and the exemplary life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), describing them as guiding principles for peace, justice, brotherhood, and social responsibility.

One of the most significant highlights of the conference was the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Samadiya College of Arts & Commerce and the Cultural House of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mumbai. The MoU was exchanged in the presence of eminent scholars, academicians, and students, marking the beginning of structured academic, cultural, and intellectual collaboration. The agreement includes joint initiatives such as seminars, conferences, workshops, literary and cultural programmes, and Persian language classes, aimed at strengthening intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and the exchange of knowledge between Iran and India.

The conference also gained added significance in light of the recent resolution adopted at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Istanbul in June 2025, which declared the year 1447 AH as the “Year of Commemoration of the 1500th Birth Anniversary of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH), the Prophet of Mercy.” Member states were encouraged to organize cultural, educational, scientific, and media initiatives to promote a correct understanding of Islam and the Prophet’s teachings. In this context, the Seerat-un-Nabi Conference in Bhiwandi stands as a meaningful academic and cultural contribution toward achieving these objectives.

The successful organization of the conference was made possible through the guidance and support of the organizing committee, particularly Mr. Shareef Hasan Momin, President of the Bhiwandi Weavers’ Education Society, and Dr. Muhammad Arif Ansari, Principal of Samadiya College of Arts & Commerce. Their leadership played a vital role in ensuring the academic depth, organizational coherence, and overall success of the programme.

The Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH) Conference concluded on a highly positive and reflective note, reaffirming the timeless relevance of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The enthusiastic participation of attendees demonstrated the conference’s success in inspiring reflection on values of peace, ethics, compassion, and social responsibility in both personal and professional spheres.