Urs of Shah-e-Hamadan observed

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 21

The annual Urs of Mir Syed Ali Hamadani, who is known as Shah-e-Hamadan by devotees, was observed with religious fervour today.

After night-long prayers and supplications, devotees from all over the Valley thronged ‘Khanqah-e-Moala’ - the shrine of the Sufi saint, which is located in the old city on the banks of the Jhelum, throughout the course of the day.

The area outside the shrine wore a festive look with roadside vendors selling a whole lot of eatables and other items. Devotees were seen feeding pigeons that are usually present at the shrine in a large numbers.

On the occasion, religious heads also threw light on the teachings of Shah-e-Hamadan, who is credited with having spread Islam in the Valley.

A caretaker of the shrine said the unique feature of the Urs Shah-e-Hamadan in the Valley was the reciting of Persian and Kashmiri eulogies in chorus during the religious functions.

He said devotees also recite ‘Aurad-e-Fatiha’ on the occasion.

Shah-e-Hamadan had arrived here in 1384 AD and besides preaching Islam, the saint also introduced Persian handicrafts in the Valley. His followers popularised shawl and carpet weaving thereby boosting the economy of Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Grand Mufti Bashir-ud-Din Ahmad paid rich tributes to Shah-e-Hamadan. “Through his righteous deeds, Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamadani changed the course of Kashmir’s history and brought about a great revolution,” he said.