According to the website of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, Khalil Afra, Iranian Sunni scholar discussed the theme in the meeting with a number of Muslim journalists in Colombo.
He said that it is the responsibility of journalists and authors to highlight the necessity of unity among Muslims and specify the requisites of unity.
The scholar added that journalists should be precise and honest in their reports and try to present authentic news particularly when the news are about Muslims and Islamic countries.
He further stressed the need for respecting followers of other faiths and said that Islam respects all Divine religions.
The 17th day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal in the lunar Hijri calendar, which falls on December 6 this year, is believed by Shia Muslims to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), while Sunni Muslims regard the 12th day of the month as the birthday of the last prophet.
The interval between the two dates is celebrated every year as the Islamic Unity Week.
Imam Khomeini (RA) declared the occasion as the Islamic Unity Week back in the 1980s.