Srinagar, June 8

Tens of thousands of devotees from across Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India gathered at Baba Nagri in Ganderbal district for the 130th annual Urs of Sufi saint Hazrat Mian Nizam-ud-Din Kiyani (RA), which concluded on Monday with special prayers for peace, prosperity and communal harmony.

The two-day religious congregation, held at Wangath in the Kangan area, drew devotees from districts including Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Kathua, Shopian, Anantnag, Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla, shrine authorities and participants said.

The annual Urs, observed during the first fortnight of June, featured night-long prayers, Quran recitations, Darood-e-Azkar and other religious ceremonies.

Hundreds of vehicles carrying pilgrims began arriving at the shrine several days before the event.

Situated at the foot of a forested mountain in the Sindh Valley, the shrine becomes a major centre of religious activity during the Urs, which dates back to the late 19th century.

On the concluding day, devotees participated in a collective prayer session, seeking peace, unity and brotherhood in Jammu and Kashmir.

Among those attending the gathering was Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi, hereditary custodian of the shrine and member of parliament from Anantnag-Rajouri, who urged people to uphold the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), promote communal harmony and work for the welfare of humanity.

Addressing the congregation, Altaf called on young people to stay away from social evils, particularly drug addiction, and appealed to parents to guide their children towards a better future.

He also welcomed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s anti-drug campaign, saying the fight against substance abuse required a collective effort from society.

“We must protect our youth from the menace of drugs and strengthen moral values in society,” Altaf told devotees.

Religious scholars attending the event highlighted the life and teachings of Hazrat Mian Nizam-ud-Din Kiyani (RA), describing him as a scholar and Sufi preacher who devoted his life to promoting Islamic teachings and social welfare.

According to shrine authorities, attendance at the Urs has grown steadily in recent years, with this year’s gathering among the largest witnessed at the shrine.

“The number of devotees is increasing every year,” Altaf said, adding that prayers were offered for lasting peace and prosperity in the region.

He thanked the civil administration, police, traffic authorities and health department for facilitating the smooth conduct of the event.

The shrine management said a round-the-clock community kitchen remained operational throughout the year and was expanded during the Urs to serve thousands of visiting devotees.

The annual congregation also coincides with the seasonal migration of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities, many of whom travelled with their livestock to attend the prayers and pay obeisance at the shrine.

Many devotees said the shrine’s spiritual atmosphere and the hospitality associated with the Mian family continued to attract people from diverse backgrounds.

Local residents described Baba Nagri as a symbol of Kashmir’s tradition of communal harmony and shared spiritual heritage, drawing visitors from different regions and communities every year.

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Srinagar, June 8

A delegation of the Municipal Workers’ Union, Jammu, met Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani on Monday and discussed issues concerning municipal employees and urban sanitation services.

The delegation called on Wani at the Chief Minister’s Public Service and Outreach Office (Raabita) in Srinagar and submitted various demands related to the welfare of municipal workers and the functioning of civic services.

According to officials, detailed discussions were held on issues affecting municipal employees, including measures aimed at strengthening public sanitation systems.

Wani heard the concerns raised by the delegation and acknowledged the role played by municipal workers in maintaining civic amenities and public health in urban areas.

He said the municipal workforce formed an essential component of urban governance and contributed significantly to sanitation and other public services.

The advisor assured the delegation that the issues raised during the meeting would be examined and addressed in a time-bound manner.

The interaction was part of the administration’s ongoing outreach efforts to engage with employee groups and address public service-related concerns.

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Srinagar, June 7

Thousands of devotees from across Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country gathered at Baba Nagri in Wangath, Kangan, on Sunday as the 130th annual Urs of Mian Nizamuddin Kiyani commenced.

The two-day religious event, held annually during the first fortnight of June, drew pilgrims from districts including Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Jammu, Udhampur, Bandipora and Anantnag, with hundreds of vehicles arriving at the shrine complex in Ganderbal district.

The Urs began with special prayers and religious gatherings on Sunday, with devotees participating in night-long prayers and spiritual observances.

The concluding day of the Urs will be observed on June 8, when special prayers will be offered and religious scholars are expected to address devotees on Islamic teachings and the life and legacy of Mian Nizamuddin Kiyani.

Sajada Nasheen of the shrine, Mian Altaf Ahmad, along with Islamic scholars and religious leaders, is scheduled to speak on the saint’s contributions and message.

The shrine management said arrangements for food and accommodation had been made for visiting devotees, while the civil and police administration put in place traffic and security measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.

The annual Urs is one of the major religious gatherings in central Kashmir and attracts devotees from different regions who assemble to offer prayers and seek blessings at the revered shrine.

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Srinagar, June 7

The Himalayan Welfare Organisation (HWO) J&K honoured rescue volunteer Sheikh Hamza for his contribution to humanitarian service and rescue operations across Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a statement issued by the organisation, social and environmental activist Mushtaq Pahalgami felicitated Hamza Sheikh, popularly known as Hamza Bhai, during a gathering at his residence in Pahalgam.

Pahalgami presented Sheikh with a cheque as a token of appreciation on behalf of the Himalayan Welfare Organisation and commended his dedication and commitment to helping people in distress.

Speaking on the occasion, Pahalgami said Sheikh had played a significant role over the years in retrieving bodies from rivers and other water bodies across Jammu and Kashmir, often carrying out difficult and risky operations without seeking financial reward or public recognition.

He described Sheikh as a humanitarian whose efforts had provided relief and closure to numerous families during times of tragedy and loss.

Pahalgami also announced that the organisation would seek to provide modern rescue and life-saving equipment to Sheikh to enhance safety and efficiency during rescue and recovery operations.

He urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to recognise Sheikh’s services and consider providing him with suitable employment in a department where his experience and skills could be utilised for public welfare.

According to the statement, agencies involved in rescue and disaster management could benefit from the expertise of individuals with practical field experience such as Sheikh.

The event concluded with participants expressing appreciation for Sheikh’s humanitarian work and offering prayers for his continued safety and service to society.

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