The annual Urs of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah at Shahadra Sharif Thanamandi which started yesterday.Special prayers were held today before Nimaz-i- Fajar.Minister of State for Hajj and Aquaf, Syed Farooq Ahmed Andrabi was also present on this occasion.It was for the first time that Naat and Qiraat competitions was organized on the occasion and first, second and third adjudged in the competition were rewarded.Large number of devotees from across the state and outside state reached the Ziyarat to offer prayers.It is pertinent to mention here that shrine of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah located in Shahdra Shrief village of Thanamandi tehsil of Rajouri is known for its secular fabric where people from all walks and sections of society pay obeisance.Earlier, Minister of State for Hajj and Aquaf, Farooq Ahmed Andrabi along with Administrator, Aquaf Islamia Rajouri, Haji Abdul Qayoom Dar offered Chaddar on the Sufi saint’s mausoleum .
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Peer Panjal range is the land of Sufis where great saints spread the message of peace, love and brotherhood through their teachings and poetry. Influenced by their deeds and teaching millions of people around the world transformed their lifestyles over the centuries. He pledged that the government would continue to make every effort to promote the philosophies of the great saints.In his address, Administrator Aquaf Islamia Rajouri said that thousands of devotees had regularly been visiting Shahdra Sharif to take part in the Urs and their number had constantly been rising. He said the teachings based on mystic philosophy of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah were as relevant today as they were some 200 years ago.“It was because of Sufi saints’ great teachings in the region that the people largely disapprove of religious extremism and believe in communal harmony and brotherhood”, he said.