By Syed Shadab Ali Gillani
SRINAGAR: The 660th annual Urs of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA), known reverently as Shah-i-Hamadan, was observed on the 6th of Zul-Hijjah, 2025. The date marks the death anniversary of the 14th-century Persian Sufi saint, whose role in the spread of Islam in Kashmir remains deeply significant.
The main congregation took place at the historic Khanqah-e-Moula in Srinagar’s Zaina Kadal, one of the Valley’s oldest Sufi institutions. Commissioned by Sultan Sikandar in 1395 CE, the shrine is celebrated for its Kashmiri wooden architecture. Having been rebuilt in 1732 after fires in 1480 and again in 1731, the mosque has long been a centre of spiritual life. When a fire damaged the spire in 2017, restoration work was completed by March 2018.
Thousands Pay Tribute
Throughout the day, a steady stream of men, women, children, and elderly devotees gathered at the shrine to offer prayers and seek blessings. The recitation of Naat and verses from the Holy Quran echoed through the air, as Islamic scholars recalled the saint’s influence in spreading Islam and shaping the region’s spiritual and cultural identity.
Special Duaiya Majlis sessions were held, reflecting the enduring bond Kashmiris share with Shah-i-Hamadan (RA). Outside the Khanqah, vendors set up stalls offering food and religious items, adding to the sense of occasion. Despite the hot weather, large tents were erected to provide shelter, with officials from the Waqf Board overseeing arrangements to ensure the comfort of worshippers.
Legacy Remembered
The Urs was not limited to Srinagar. Observances were also held at Khanqah Faizpanah in Tral and other locations across the Valley. Among those who attended the main event were former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and Grand Mufti Nasir ul Islam, along with other prominent figures, all of whom paid homage to Hazrat Amir Kabir Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA). They spoke of his enduring legacy as a spiritual leader and reformer who shaped Kashmir’s religious, economic, and social landscape.
Hazrat Hamdani (RA) is widely credited with introducing Persian handicrafts to Kashmir, a contribution that has endured as part of the region’s cultural identity. His influence in promoting education, Islamic teachings, and economic self-reliance continues to resonate in the collective memory of the people.
The Urs stands as a powerful reminder of a saint whose teachings and vision remain deeply embedded in the Valley’s cultural and spiritual life.
