Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday handed over Chadar which would be offered on the 811th Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
In a tweet Prime Minister said: “Handed over the Chadar which would be offered on the Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.”
Last year, on behalf Prime Minister, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had offered Chandar at the famous Sufi Shrine in Ajmer on the occasion of 810th Urs.
At that time, PM conveyed greetings and best wishes on the august occasion and had said that the philosophy of Garib Nawaz will continue to inspire generations to come.
“I pay homage to the Great Sufi Saint, who gave the message of humanity to the entire world. Unity in Diversity is the identity of India. Harmonious co-existence of various sects, communities and beliefs in the country is our strength”, the Prime Minister said on the occasion 810th Urs last year.
Who was Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti?
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was an Indo-Persian Islamic preacher, mystic, scholar, and philosopher who promulgated the famous Chishtiyya order of Sufism. He is popularly known as Khwaja Garib Nawaz i.e. friend of the poor.
Khwaja was born in Sistan (Iran-Afghanistan) in the mid-12th century into a farmer’s family that descended from Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
After completing his studies from the eminent seminaries of Bukhara and Samarqand, he turned towards spiritual mysticism and dedicated his life to spreading the Islamic teachings in unique manners.
Khwaja Garib Nawaz came to India and settled in Ajmer in 1192, shortly after the victory of Shihabuddin Muhammad Ghori over Prithviraj Chauhan in the second battle of Tarain.
He is remembered for his great contribution to the propagation of Islam in India.
According to historians, his charismatic persona coupled with his tolerant and compassionate behavior was a driving force behind the mass conversion of large number of Indians especially lower & backward classes to Islam at his hand.
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was also one of the first major Islamic mystics to use music in matters of devotion to God.
He apparently did so in order to make Islam more relatable to the common Indians who had recently entered the Islamic fold.
His outlook was so broad and humane that some of his verses are later found quoted in the Adi-Granth of the Sikhs, writes Satish Chandra in the history of Medieval India.
The Chishti saints unlike the Suhrawardis preferred to keep themselves aloof from state politics and shunned the company of rulers and nobles.
Last year, PM Modi in his message said that the great Saints, Mahatmas, Pir, Fakirs have played a pivotal role in strengthening the socio-cultural fabric of the country in different periods.
“In this glorious tradition, the name of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who gave the message of love and harmony to the society, is taken with full respect and reverence”, said the PM.
Noting that the Urs is the symbol of harmony and brotherhood, the PM said that it will further strengthen the faith of the devotees.