| A Review of the 'Urs Celebrations for Khawaja Gharib Nawaz in Southampton. May 2012. LINK to the full programme |
Bismillah ar Rehman ir Rahim
Opening Flag Ceremony
Starting on 21st of May celebrations for the Death Anniversary ('Urs) of Khawaja Muinuddin Hasan Chishti were held in Ajmer Sharif, India. In Southampton, England we held celebrations in tandem so to speak, following as closely as possible the order of events in Ajmer. It was a blessed time indeed.
For the first time we had a flag ceremony with a flag! This was made with great care and diligence by my wife Farhana. A small party of about ten people gathered for the occasion - we prepared Zahuri Manzil for the celebrations by giving it a good cleaning and decorating it suitably. One of our neighbours said it looked like a fairy grotto with all the lights. Then with drum and chanting we paraded the flag carried by Mikail's son Ellis. We hoisted it to chants of Ya Khawaja Gharib Nawaz and distribution of money - followed by some food.
After months of dismal cold, grey and wet weather we had our first day of real sunshine to mark the occasion. In fact it remained sunny and even quite hot for the entire ten days of 'Urs only ending with the closure of the 'Urs after which it returned to cold grey days. A blessing indeed.
Another great feature was Farhana's beautiful rose garden which came into bloom at exactly the right time. One visitor saw it and thought he had been transported to the gardens of paradise. Really we felt the blessings of Khawaja Saheb were with us.
During this whole period the Holy Qur'an was distributed and read by various people in Southampton.
Starting on 21st of May celebrations for the Death Anniversary ('Urs) of Khawaja Muinuddin Hasan Chishti were held in Ajmer Sharif, India. In Southampton, England we held celebrations in tandem so to speak, following as closely as possible the order of events in Ajmer. It was a blessed time indeed.
For the first time we had a flag ceremony with a flag! This was made with great care and diligence by my wife Farhana. A small party of about ten people gathered for the occasion - we prepared Zahuri Manzil for the celebrations by giving it a good cleaning and decorating it suitably. One of our neighbours said it looked like a fairy grotto with all the lights. Then with drum and chanting we paraded the flag carried by Mikail's son Ellis. We hoisted it to chants of Ya Khawaja Gharib Nawaz and distribution of money - followed by some food.
After months of dismal cold, grey and wet weather we had our first day of real sunshine to mark the occasion. In fact it remained sunny and even quite hot for the entire ten days of 'Urs only ending with the closure of the 'Urs after which it returned to cold grey days. A blessing indeed.
Another great feature was Farhana's beautiful rose garden which came into bloom at exactly the right time. One visitor saw it and thought he had been transported to the gardens of paradise. Really we felt the blessings of Khawaja Saheb were with us.
During this whole period the Holy Qur'an was distributed and read by various people in Southampton.
Evening Sama
After a gap of one day we had Zikr and Sama every evening in Zahuri Manzil. The Zikr lasts about an hour and is quite vigorous - begun and completed of course with Qur'an recital with Qiirat and featuring a recital of Nawob Saheb's 'Sab say pehli Bismillah' song.
After some refreshments we then sat and listened to recordings of Qwaal by such great musicians as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Aziz Mian and the Sabris. Of course this cannot in any way equate with the live Qwaal but with suitable attentiveness and plenty of volume it is no doubt possible to immerse oneself, so that one feels as if one is sitting in the Mehfil Khanna in Ajmer. The choice of music was excellent and under the able control of Luqman who we like to call our 'DJ'. .
After a gap of one day we had Zikr and Sama every evening in Zahuri Manzil. The Zikr lasts about an hour and is quite vigorous - begun and completed of course with Qur'an recital with Qiirat and featuring a recital of Nawob Saheb's 'Sab say pehli Bismillah' song.
After some refreshments we then sat and listened to recordings of Qwaal by such great musicians as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Aziz Mian and the Sabris. Of course this cannot in any way equate with the live Qwaal but with suitable attentiveness and plenty of volume it is no doubt possible to immerse oneself, so that one feels as if one is sitting in the Mehfil Khanna in Ajmer. The choice of music was excellent and under the able control of Luqman who we like to call our 'DJ'. .
The 5th/6th of Rajab
This of course marks the height of the 'Urs celebrations.
In Southampton we marked it with a much larger gathering in the local Mosque. This programme followed Zuhr Namaz and was well attended. Langar was distributed. It featured several beautiful Nath renditions and then Zikr with Qiirat of the holy Qur'an - lasting about 45 minutes. Mikail Ali Clarke made a short inspiring and instructive speech. Jamiluddin Morris Zahuri made a longer speech and this included some of his poetry in praise of Khawaja Saheb. This is published on the website.
Following this we returned to Zahuri Manzil for the Fatiha of the Gudri Shah Order and a meal and of course Namaz. We then listened to Qwaal till almost midnight. This was well attended with many visitors and guests including some young men from Pakistan studying here who also recited some Darud and Nath.
The following morning we completed the first Cul with a recital of Juz Amma (the thirtieth part of the Holy Qur'an) by Jamiluddin Morris Zahuri. Zahuri Manzil and those attending were liberally sprayed with rose water to mark the occasion. The sun continued to shine and reached temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius as the first Cul was completed.
This of course marks the height of the 'Urs celebrations.
In Southampton we marked it with a much larger gathering in the local Mosque. This programme followed Zuhr Namaz and was well attended. Langar was distributed. It featured several beautiful Nath renditions and then Zikr with Qiirat of the holy Qur'an - lasting about 45 minutes. Mikail Ali Clarke made a short inspiring and instructive speech. Jamiluddin Morris Zahuri made a longer speech and this included some of his poetry in praise of Khawaja Saheb. This is published on the website.
Following this we returned to Zahuri Manzil for the Fatiha of the Gudri Shah Order and a meal and of course Namaz. We then listened to Qwaal till almost midnight. This was well attended with many visitors and guests including some young men from Pakistan studying here who also recited some Darud and Nath.
The following morning we completed the first Cul with a recital of Juz Amma (the thirtieth part of the Holy Qur'an) by Jamiluddin Morris Zahuri. Zahuri Manzil and those attending were liberally sprayed with rose water to mark the occasion. The sun continued to shine and reached temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius as the first Cul was completed.
Mushaira
One feature of the 'Urs in Ajmer is the recitation of poetry in praise of Allah, the Holy Prophet, and Khawaja Sahib called 'Mushaira'. This is hosted in the main Mehfil Khanna in Ajmer. We followed this practice in our own much smaller way and poems by Khadim Nawob Saheb, Zahurmian and Jamiluddin Zahuri were recited. It was a very good celebration with an American poet of Persian descent also attending and a number of young men from Pakistan offering Nath and Humd.
The following evening was for people in the order to perfume Zahurmian's Holy Qur'an and to clean Zahuri Manzil with rose water. This was followed by a meal and Sama.
One feature of the 'Urs in Ajmer is the recitation of poetry in praise of Allah, the Holy Prophet, and Khawaja Sahib called 'Mushaira'. This is hosted in the main Mehfil Khanna in Ajmer. We followed this practice in our own much smaller way and poems by Khadim Nawob Saheb, Zahurmian and Jamiluddin Zahuri were recited. It was a very good celebration with an American poet of Persian descent also attending and a number of young men from Pakistan offering Nath and Humd.
The following evening was for people in the order to perfume Zahurmian's Holy Qur'an and to clean Zahuri Manzil with rose water. This was followed by a meal and Sama.
The Final Cul
Now there was gap of one day which allowed us to prepare for a garden party for a much larger number of guests including former work colleagues of mine.
This was followed by Fatiha and a prolonged Sama session at the end of which the closure of the 'Urs was announced.
Now there was gap of one day which allowed us to prepare for a garden party for a much larger number of guests including former work colleagues of mine.
This was followed by Fatiha and a prolonged Sama session at the end of which the closure of the 'Urs was announced.
Grateful Acknowledgements
I have not mentioned it during the above but there is no doubt that Khawaja Saheb inspired many people to be of great help and assistance throughout. Of these the most important by far was that of my dear wife Farhana who worked tirelessly, efficiently and in an inspired way to facilitate the success of the whole event. I cannot say enough in praise of her for this. Though not always enjoying perfect health she threw herself into it wholeheartedly, organising friends and well wishers to prepare food but also reciting Fatiha, and poetry in Urdu, ensuring that I did not forget any important aspect of the procedure and so on. She appeared to me to be a Queen among women.
My thanks also to the murids for attending whilst having to keep their normal weekly workload. Adam provided willing, invaluable and humble service as is his way, and it was good to see his wife Mas who was able to attend on one occasion. Luqman provided an excellent programme of music and was also available to help with decorations and so on despite being in the middle of important exams. Mikail Ali Clarke despite family commitments was able to attend and provide beautiful Qur'an recitation and accompanying of Zikr with drum. Husam despite his responsibilities in looking after his elderly mother was able to attend and to provide loyal support in preparation and decoration as well as solid drumming during the Zikr. Khalida and members of her family were a great support and I know she was very helpful to Farhana as were many others of her friends such as Taira Sheikh who provided valuable support. As always it was a delight to see Farhan and his father Zulfikar attending and Farhan's sister Farah. Akhtar and Shahida were of enormous support throughout but especially in preparing Langar. I must also thank Daniella and Lydia for making their flat available for the garden party.
I should also say my gratitude to Khawaja Saheb for inspiring Muhammed Asif and his friends for attending and also for his marvellous help in preparing for the final evening and garden party. I have not yet mentioned but certainly not forgotten the great support of Riaz and for his wife's help in preparing food.
Ever present with me was the presence of Zahurmian - guiding me as always from the unseen - he knows my indebtedness to him has no end. I also felt the presence of Nuri Baba with me as ever.
If Khawaja Saheb accepts our 'Urs it will be in large part due to the efforts of all these people and I pray for the blessings of Khawaja Saheb for each and every one.
I have not mentioned it during the above but there is no doubt that Khawaja Saheb inspired many people to be of great help and assistance throughout. Of these the most important by far was that of my dear wife Farhana who worked tirelessly, efficiently and in an inspired way to facilitate the success of the whole event. I cannot say enough in praise of her for this. Though not always enjoying perfect health she threw herself into it wholeheartedly, organising friends and well wishers to prepare food but also reciting Fatiha, and poetry in Urdu, ensuring that I did not forget any important aspect of the procedure and so on. She appeared to me to be a Queen among women.
My thanks also to the murids for attending whilst having to keep their normal weekly workload. Adam provided willing, invaluable and humble service as is his way, and it was good to see his wife Mas who was able to attend on one occasion. Luqman provided an excellent programme of music and was also available to help with decorations and so on despite being in the middle of important exams. Mikail Ali Clarke despite family commitments was able to attend and provide beautiful Qur'an recitation and accompanying of Zikr with drum. Husam despite his responsibilities in looking after his elderly mother was able to attend and to provide loyal support in preparation and decoration as well as solid drumming during the Zikr. Khalida and members of her family were a great support and I know she was very helpful to Farhana as were many others of her friends such as Taira Sheikh who provided valuable support. As always it was a delight to see Farhan and his father Zulfikar attending and Farhan's sister Farah. Akhtar and Shahida were of enormous support throughout but especially in preparing Langar. I must also thank Daniella and Lydia for making their flat available for the garden party.
I should also say my gratitude to Khawaja Saheb for inspiring Muhammed Asif and his friends for attending and also for his marvellous help in preparing for the final evening and garden party. I have not yet mentioned but certainly not forgotten the great support of Riaz and for his wife's help in preparing food.
Ever present with me was the presence of Zahurmian - guiding me as always from the unseen - he knows my indebtedness to him has no end. I also felt the presence of Nuri Baba with me as ever.
If Khawaja Saheb accepts our 'Urs it will be in large part due to the efforts of all these people and I pray for the blessings of Khawaja Saheb for each and every one.