The 657th Urs of revered saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA) was observed on Wednesday, the 6th day of Dhu al-Hijja, in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The main congregation was held at Khanqah Moula on the banks of river Jhelum in downtown Srinagar. Religious preachers delivered their lectures before Zuhr prayers and highlighted the teachings of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA).
Earlier, Darood Azqar, Khatmat-ul-Mozamaat and Naat Khawani were also held during night-long prayers at Khanqah. Thousands of devotees including men, women, children thronged the shrine to participate in the congregational prayers. Hundreds of devotes including women, elderly and children also assembled at the Khankah-e-Faiz Panah Tral in Pulwama to attend the annual Urs festival.
The largest gathering at Khanqah-e-Faiz Panah Tral was witnessed during Zuhr prayers on Wednesday when the majority of people gathered to offer congregational prayers. On the occasion, scholars shed light on the life of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA). They said that on the occasion of the annual Urs of Hazrat Ameer Kabeer (RA), Khanqah-e-Faiz Tral was filled with devotees from dozens of villages of Sub division Tral and other parts of the valley especially south Kashmir, offering prayers.
The relics of Hazrat Ameer Kabeer (RA) were displayed after every prayer during the day and devotees were seen waiting eagerly after prayers to have glimpse of the holy relic. “This is after three years’ gap that we are taking part in the annual Urs of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA),” said speakers, adding that they are overwhelmed by joy on resumption of this auspicious event.
Political analysts believe that under fire for allowing tens of thousands Hindus pilgrims for Amarnath Yatra and banning Muslim festivals in IIOJK, the Modi government permitted the annual Urs to balance the act.—KMS