The annual urs of Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani, popularly known as Ghous-ul-Azam, Dastageer Sahib, a 11th century saint, will be celebrated on Wednesday with religious fervor and gaiety in Kashmir valley.The Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA) shrine at Khanyar will be marking its annual Urs on Wednesday after special prayers held during the past eleven days, upholding the centuries-old tradition of commemoration in the shrine. A large number of devotees are expected to participate in these prayers held at the shrine.Since the Covid-19 pandemic has been disrupting night-long celebrations on the occasion of Urs in prominent shrines of Kashmir valley, Dastgeer Sahib shrine in downtown Khanyar has to cut short the night-long prayers held on the eve of the annual Urs at the shrine on Tuesday.However, the main function of night-long prayers which is usually held during the intervening night of 10th and 11th as per the Islamic calendar will remain suspended this year again due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Urs of the revered saint is usually celebrated in the fourth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar for eleven days, from 1st Rabi Us Sani to 11th of the same month.The holy relics of the saint are displayed on the 11th day across certain shrines that host the relics, especially the Khanyar and Sarai Bala shrines of Dastgeer Sahib here in Srinagar city.The shrine management of Dastgeer Sahib said that on Tuesday due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will be no night-long prayers at the shrine and as such, the shrine will remain closed for devotees.However, they said, the holy relics will be displayed from the outer side of the shrine to devotees on Wednesday during all five prayers of the day.The shrine management, led by the Sajada Nisheen, Khalid Hussain Geelani, advised people to follow all necessary precautions keeping in view the Covid-19 pandemic during their visit to the shrine.The main function on the 11th of Rabi Us Sani every year usually draws thousands of devotees from across Kashmir valley to have a glimpse of the holy relics of the 11th-century saint, Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jeelani(RA), popularly known as Dastgeer Sahib (RA).(CNS)
