CNN: International Muslim leaders join Ramadan webcasts on Mohammed

Some of the world’s most prominent Muslim leaders are joining a series of webcasts highlighting the life of Prophet Mohammed during the fasting month of Ramadan, which begins Wednesday.

The effort, called the Celebrate Mercy project, was started earlier this year to combat negative media portrayals of Mohammed. The group produced its first webcast in February, which it says reached 5,000 people in 78 countries.

During Ramadan, four webcasts will play via a link emailed to those who register at Celebrate Mercy’s website. Viewing centers have been set up by over a thousand volunteers at 40 sites across five continents, according to Tarek El-Messidi, founder and director of Celebrate Mercy, with the biggest centers expected in Cairo and Istanbul.

The project bridges cultural and sectarian divides. Egypt’s Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa, one of the highest living authorities in Sunni Islam, as well as the head of the largest Shiite community in the United States, Imam Sayed Hassan Qazwini, are expected to participate in the event.

The effort is also slated to include Iranian-born singer Sami Yusuf, American intellectual Hamza Yusuf, Canadian professor Ingrid Mattson, and Yemeni televangelist Habib al-Jifry.

“The prophet was generous but he was most generous during Ramadan,” El-Messidi told CNN. “Plus, there are so many important events that occurred in the life of the prophet during Ramadan that can inspire people … including the first [Quranic] revelations.”

Source: CNN