Srinagar, Aug 23: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has taken an initiative of renovating the shrine of the first Muslim saint of Kashmir Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA). The shrine is one of the oldest monuments located in the Srinagar city.
 Syed Sharaf-ud-Din Abdul Rehman popularly known as Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) a saint of highest spiritual order travelled from Turkistan and settled in Kashmir around 1324  A.D (725 A.H). At that time, Kashmir was ruled by a Buddhist ruler Rinchan Shah. Due to teachings of Islam, Universality and Brotherhood by Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) many non-muslims including Rinchan Shah later embraced Islam and became the first Muslim king of Kashmir. After embracing Islam, Rinchan Shah came to be known as Sultan Sadrudin.
 Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) laid foundation of Sufi and secular culture of Kashmir in the year 1320 A.D. Scholars and Historians are of the opinion that like other great civilizations of the world, the Sufi civilization of Kashmir is grounded in the philosophy of universality, brotherhood and mutual love and respectability as propagated by Bulbul Shah who is also known Amir-i-Kashmir and Baadashah-i-Kashmir.
 In an effort aimed at preserving and conserving the first mosque and shrine of Kashmir, the High Court has directed Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to declare 700 year old shrine of Bulbul Shah in Old Srinagar city as a national monument. The Court has directed ASI to take initiatives and pass appropriate orders in this regard within a period of three months.
 The decision of HC Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifullah and Justice Muzafar Hussain Attar came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by senior High Court lawyer Ghulam Ahmad Lone, wherein he had sought directions to authorities to declare Bulbul Shah Shrine as a heritage and protected site.
 After being heard for about two years, the PIL was finally allowed by High Court recently with directions to State as well as ASI to declare Bulbul Shah Shrine as a national monument.
 “Bulbul Shah (RA) is held in highest esteem and reverence by Muslims in Valley. The ancient monuments and archeological sites, and therefore the monument needs to be preserved in the form as it exists”, the Division Bench has observed.
 The court also directed government to forward a copy of the order along with its own report about the renovation, improvement works carried out at the site, history of the shrine as well as the greatness of Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) to Director General of ASI with a request to declare the ancient monument as one of the national monuments.
 The walls of the Shrine also developed cracks in the 2005 earthquake which was of a major jolt. The aim of the renovation is also make the shrine withstand powerful earthquakes.
 Khawaja Farooq Renzu Shah, chairman of Hazrat Bulbul Shah Trust said that the shrine held an important place, both from historical and religious perspective.
 The huge shrine's architecture is highly intricate. So, it is justified for the workers to take their time while restoring such an elaborate monument. Step-by-step measures are being taken to restore the age-old architectural design in the shrine. When it will be completed, it will remain for thousands of years, for the many more generations to see it," Renzu said.
 He added that the original architecture and designs of the shrine have been kept intact.
 The authorities are optimistic that once the restoration work is completed, it shall attract more visitors to the shrine. Moreover, this shall help them to understand role of Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) in spreading the message of peace and brotherhood in Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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