Srinagar: The 660th Urs of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA), popularly known as Shahi-e-Hamdan, was observed with fervor across Kashmir on Tuesday.
Situated on the right bank of the River Jhelum in the old city, Khanqah-e-Maula shrine hosted the largest gathering on the occasion. The annual Urs of Shah-e-Hamdan is observed on the 6th Zil-Hijjah of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Large number of devotees, including men, women and children from across the valley flocked to Khanqah-e-Maula shrine to participate in the night-long prayers (Shab-Khwani) and to offer the congregational “Zuhr Namaz” or noon prayers on the occasion.
A Persian Sufi, Syed Ali bin Shahab-ud-Din Hamadani Abidi (1314–1384) was a well-known Islamic mystic, philosopher, and reformer who was also referred to as ‘Shah Hamdan’ (King of Hamadan).
Besides playing a significant role in forming Kashmiri culture and propagating Islam throughout the region, he also made a significant contribution to the economic advancement of Kashmiris.
Major shrines and mosques in Kashmir hosted special congregational prayers on the occasion of Urs Shah-e-Hamdan, and reverberated with accolades to Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) and remembrance of Allah at ‘Zikr-o-Azkar’.
Similar gatherings were also observed with religious fervor at Khanqah Faizpanah Tral, Jenab Sahab Soura, Aasar Sharif Kalashpora, Kabamarg, Ziarat Peer Dastgeer Sahab (RA) Khanyar and Sarai-Payeen and Khiram Sirhama in Anantnag, Dooru Seer Hamdan, Aham Sharif Bandipora, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama and Bandipora. The Urs was also observed at Khanqah Moula Sopore.
Devotees prayed to Allah for blessings and peace in Kashmir on the Urs, while the religious scholars highlighted Mir Syed Ali Hamdani’s (RA) role in the propagation of Islam in Kashmir.
Thousands of devotees gathered to offer congregational Zuhr, or midday prayers, at Khanqah Moula Srinagar, which saw the highest crowd at the shrine. The shrine was decorated with vibrant buntings and colorful lights.
The authorities had made arrangements for the devotees and set up makeshift tents for them to offer Namaz in the midst of humid weather conditions.
