The State House truly came alive yesterday as President Gokhool and First Lady Brinda Gokhool welcomed distinguished guests, religious and community leaders, and representatives of cultural organisations for an Eid Milad-un-Nabi gathering. 
From children’s heartfelt Nasheeds and Daff medleys to powerful reflections on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the afternoon was a celebration of faith, shared heritage, knowledge and community.
The celebration also featured an art exhibition on Muslim culture and heritage by artists Ms Nasreen Banu Ahseek and Mr Riaz Auladin.
In his address, President Gokhool reflected on the timeless lessons of universal humanism, holistic learning and lifelong education from the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), while highlighting the beauty of living together – embracing our differences, learning from one another and celebrating the richness of our shared Mauritian identity.
Islamic Scholar Ms Shamima Soobratty offered an empowering perspective on the Prophet’s model of masculinity: one rooted in dignity, gender equity and respect, with a strong emphasis on empowering women and children.
For his part, Dr Sayyid Mohamed El Hassani, Secretary-General of the Cherifian Council for the Arab Maghreb – whose visit to Mauritius is in the context of the National Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations held at Aleemiah College – shared reflections on people-centred leadership and the lessons that the life of the Prophet offers to Heads of State and leaders.
A beautiful reminder that unity in diversity is not simply about living alongside one another, but also about building bridges, deepening intercultural understanding and recognising that, despite our differences, we belong to the same national community