Sopore, Oct 30: The foundation stone for renovation and expansion of shrine of Sheikh Baba Ali Raina (RA) was on Sunday laid by a centenarian religious scholar Peer Muhammad Yaseen in Tujjar-Sharief here in presence of large gathering.
 The guests including Director Information and Chairman Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) Trust Farooq Renzu Shah besides delegations from different parts of the Valley, were welcomed by the devotees led the President Sultan-ul-Arifeen (RA) Foundation Shahid Jeelani.
 The shrine of Sheikh Baba Ali Raina (RA) is situated 67 kms away from Srinagar in the north of the Apple Town which is also the ancestral village of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoomi (RA). There is a shrine of his father, Hazrat Baba Usman Raina (RA) and mother Hazrat Bibi Maryam (RA) also in the village.
 Tujjar Sharief is half an hour journey from Apple Town Sopore via Bomai, Nathipora and Chetkak.
 Thousands of devotees thronged the shrine for participating in a special ceremony of laying of foundation stone for its renovation.
 “It is like a spiritual moment when thousands of people of all ages including children and women jointly participate in Darood-u-Azkar. Devotees irrespective of rank and status visit here to pay obeisance at the revered shrine,” Renzu said.  
 For today’s ceremony, a special stage was set up in front of the shrine. The inauguration session was addressed by people from different walks of life including politicians from ruling coalition and opposition PDP. They highlighted contribution of the saint.
 “On this day, we have forgotten about politics to focus on the revered saint’s contribution and motivate people to follow his footsteps”, said an Ex-MLA Abdul Rashid Dar.
 On the occasion, MLA Sopore Haji Muhammad Ashraf Ganai announced Rs. 2 lakh for development of the shrine as heritage site in the first phase.
 Besides others, the ceremony Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla Bashir Ahmad Bhat SDM Sopore, M Ahsan Mir, Tehsildar Atiqa Bano and Er. Afaq, Trustee Chairman, Khawaja Garib Nawaz Trust. 

Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST