Srinagar : The 656th Urs of revered saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA) was celebrated today, the 6th day of Zil Haj (the month in which Hajj takes place) in Kashmir Valley. The main congregation was held at Khanqah Moula on the banks of river Jhelum in old Srinagar city.
The annual Urs of Shah-e-Hamdan (RA), who is considered as the founder of Islam in Kashmir was celebrated with religious fervor. Thousands of devotees including men, women, children and old thronged the shrine to participate in the congregational prayers. The devotees also recited Quranic verses followed by ‘Duaiya Majlis’.
On the occasion, scholars threw light on the life and achievements of Shah-e-Hamdan (RA) and his contribution in making Kashmiri people self-sufficient.
Syed Ali bin Shahab-ud-Din Hamadani Abidi (1314-1384) is also known as “Shah Hamdan” (King of Hamadhan) and as “Amir-i-Kabir” (the Great Commander). His real name was Ali and he was the descendant of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through Imam Zain-ul-Abideen. He was born in Central Asia around 1313. He arrived in Kashmir along with 700 Syeds and his followers. He was a Persian Sufi and a prominent Muslim scholar. He was very influential in spreading Islam in Kashmir and has had a major hand in shaping the culture of the Kashmir Valley. He also introduced the skills of famed handicraft amongst the people for which Kashmir is famous all over the world.
The devotees during the Urs prayed for long-lasting peace in Kashmir and sought peace, blessings and mercy from Almighty. (KNT)
