(TAP) - A religious ceremony was held Monday afternoon at the Zitouna Mosque, on the celebration of Mawlid (Prophet's birthday), in the presence of President Beji Caid Essebsi.

The ceremony was attended by Speaker of the House of People's Representatives (HPR) Mohamed Ennaceur, Prime Minister Youssef Chahed and the Mufti of the Republic.

Several members of the government, advisers and representatives of national organisations as well as ambassadors of Arab and Islamic countries were also present.

The ceremony began with the recitation of verses from the Quran. It was punctuated by a lecture given by Imam-preacher of the Zitouna Mosque Sheikh Hichem Ben Mahmoud in which he underscored the high qualities and moral virtues of the prophet Mohamed