BHADERWAH,NOV 13 (KNO) : The annual Urs of Sufi Saint Abu Sakinder Ali Shah Bhagdadi Sahib (RA) was celebrated with religious fervour in Bhaderwah wherein hundreds thronging the shrine at Masjid Mohalla and paid homage to Abu Sakinder Ali Shah Bhagdadi Sahib (RA) and special prayers were also organised . The proceedings of the Urs got underway with the recitation of verses from Holy Quran followed by Naat Sharief.
People belonging to various walks of life paid rich tributes to the saint for his meritorious services for the welfare of humanity and promotion of Islamic teachings.Every year thousands of devotees from all walks of life and different religions and regions throng the famous shrine of Abu Sakinder Ali Shah in Bhaderwah to pay their reverence to the pious saint and seek his blessings.Religious scholars and Imams threw a detailed light on the life, religious services and teachings and spiritual strength of the revered Islamic scholar and saint who had devoted his whole life to the service to and preaching of Islam. Sufis, all over the world, have made their mark in history for serving the humanity in general and the destitute, poor and needy ones in particular.It is also worthwile to mention here that Sufism has been flourishing among the hills of Bhaderwah and Kishtwar since long. Bhaderwah and Kishtwar has traditionally been a place where religion has dominated the discourse and knitted people of different faiths together.The historical manuscripts written mostly in Persian maintain that Sufism flourished in Chenab Valley during the 15 century when Sufi saints from various parts of India reached Doda.
These revered saints propagated Islam and value based education among the people of all religions, castes and creeds. These revered saints taught people basics tenets of Islam and pleaded with them to come out of the darkness of illiteracy and ritualism. These revered saints propagated love and brotherhood. They taught tawhid or monotheism (oneness of Allah) asked people to follow teachings of the Holy Quran and the Hadith.Many of these Sufi preachers, who came to district Doda and propagated Islam, have earned a distinct place for themselves across the world. Their tombs are still respected as holy places, with people from all walks of life visiting and praying for earthly prosperity and spiritual salvation. .However the town ship has been given face lift by the Municipal Committee Bhaderwah to ensure festive look on the Urs celebration and a cleanliness drive has been underway (KNO)