RAMPUR: Hindus joined the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur to commemorate Milad un Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad which is observed in the third month of the Islamic calendar. The day was celebrated as "compassion day" by the Muslim bodies and others in the city.

Speaking during a medical camp organised on this occasion, Syed Abdullah Tariq, president of the WORK charitable trust, said Islam and the teachings of its last Prophet (Muhammad) have consistently been misrepresented as a pathway leading to extremism due to the handiworks of ignorant Muslims.

"Islam and the Prophet are associated with extremism throughout the world because of Muslims. People think that he promoted violence and bloodshed. The need of the hour is to change their mindset by working for the welfare of the people. And the change has to come from within the Mulsim community," Tariq said.

"We are observing this day as compassion day in the memory of the Prophet and I appeal the entire country to do the same," he said.

Tariq said he wants Milad-un-Nabi to get recognised as compassion day internationally. "It will help the Mulsims in improving their image throughout the world," he said.

He said all the communities should come together to take up some social welfare work on birthdays of saints, gurus and respectable figures of their religions.

Dhananjay Pathak, president of interfaith forum Hind Bhaichara Samiti, who was one of the invitees, also encouraged people to participate in numbers in the program saying serving the humanity on such occasions is better than taking out processions and holding large gatherings.