Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain -File Photo

DHAKA, Sept 21, 2025 (BSS) - Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain today said that Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was the pioneer in establishing human rights, who spoke of these principles nearly 1,500 years ago.

He said this while addressing a discussion and prize giving ceremony organized on the occasion of Eid-e-Miladunnabi (PBUH) on the Jagannath University (JnU) campus in the city this morning.

JnU Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Rezaul Karim delivered the welcome speech at the event, said a press release.

The Adviser said that what the modern world today calls human rights- such as the rights of men, women, children, and freedom of expression- were all proclaimed by the Prophet (PBUH) one and a half millennia ago. 

"He (PBUH) not only provided the theory but also implemented it in practice," Dr Khalid noted.

Citing a Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH), he said, "No Arab has superiority over neither a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; no white person has superiority over a black person, nor a black person over a white person." 

The adviser said that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had abolished racial discrimination and ethnic arrogance.

Noting that the Charter of Medina is the first written constitution in world history, he said, "States are governed by constitutions. The very idea of the constitution was first introduced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)."

Highlighting the Prophet's (PBUH) unparalleled contributions in establishing the women's rights, Dr Khalid said that in ancient Rome, Persia, and the Indian subcontinent, women were maligned as 'the gateway to hell' or 'agents of evil.' 

In contrast, he said, the Prophet (PBUH) declared that "Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers." This noble declaration, the adviser said, elevated women to the highest status of dignity, something unprecedented in human history.

He also pointed to the Prophet's (PBUH) contribution to the education and intellectual development of Hazrat Ayesha (RA) as an example of his dedication to women's empowerment.

Calling upon all to follow the teachings of the Prophet's (PBUH) Sirah (lifestyle), Dr Khalid said this is the way to enlighten the life.

The discussion was presided over by Professor Dr. Md. Roich Uddin, Chairman of the Department of Islamic Studies at JnU.

JnU Treasurer Professor Dr Sabina Sharmin, Director General of Islamic Foundation A Salam Khan, and JnU Teachers' Association President Professor Dr Md Mosharraf Hossain spoke at the event as special guests with JnU Islamic Studies Department Chairman Professor Dr Md Roich Uddin in the chair.

Eminent Islamic thinker Mufti Abdul Munayim Khan delivered sermon on the life and teachings of the Prophet (PBUH).

Later, the guests distributed prizes among the winners of Quran recitation, Naat-e-Rasul (PBUH), calligraphy, and essay competitions held to mark the celebration of Eid-e-Miladunnabi (PBUH).