Qadiri Razvi Central Mosque

 

EidGah &  Zikr Manzil

 

His Eminence mentioned that the responsibilities of an Imaam in not limited to the Mosques and the five times prayer, but have to instigate other important Islamic religious and social activities as well. To offer Eid prayer in Eidgah is sunnat. The beloved Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) left Masjid Nabawi on Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ud-Adha, to offer prayer (salaat) in Masjeed Eidgah, despite of the fact that fifty thousand benefits are acquired when a person offers salaat in Masjid Nabawi. The Arabic definition for Eid Gah is Mussalah Eid. So when His Eminence landed here, in Mauritius, they were deprived the opportunity of following this sunnah too.  

 

foundation stones, with opening date

Sunni Razvi EidGah and Zikr Manzil

foundation stone

The Zikr Manzil and the Eidgah stand in all their majestic beauty on the slope of the mountain at Vallee Pitot. It is a very big plot of land donated to the Society by the Government of Mauritius It is an imposing one-story building that overlooks the beautiful landscape of the mountains, valleys and meadows of Vallee Pitot and the blue ocean further away. The atmosphere is serene and adds to the beauty and charm of the Eid Gah. Such a refined piece of architectural mastery has become a feast for the eyes. It is another petal added to the fragrant rose of the Eid Gah, which is itself a pride to the community. As the name implies, the Eid Gah is a place where open-air prayers on Eid days are held. When the Society first started construction, help from the non-Muslims communities had been forthcoming. For example the Sugar Factory of Belle Vue Mauricia sent bulldozers to level and landscape the mountain terraces.  

outside the EidGah

EidGah, against the mountains

A mosque, the Qadiri Razvi Central Mosque with an Imams residence has also been built within the precincts of the Eidgah. Recently a Zikr Manzil was built, again within precincts of the Eidgah complex. As the name implies, the Zikr Manzil is a place where Zikr is recited. It is also a social hall for the celebration of the Eid Milan Party, which is attended every year by the Prime Ministers, Ministers, The Lord-Mayor of Port Louis, the Leader of the Opposition, the Ambassadors and top personalities of the Island. As Eid-ul-Fitr is a national holiday in Mauritius, top Muslim and non-Muslim personalities attend the Eid Milan Party to broadcast their Eid messages. The Prime Minister thus expresses his best wishes from the Government of Mauritius to the nation.

The Zikr Manzil being a component of the Eidgah complex has other major roles to play. Apart from Qadiriyya Halqa Zikr, it is a venue for the monthly Igyarween Shareef, the Urs Shareef, the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi and other celebrations. It houses a Madrassa as well, thus catering for the educational and spiritual welfare of their pupils. Many Islamic performances are observed here. However, the mass participation of people, each year, for the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi celebration gives the Eidgah all its historic importance. The Eid prayers fulfill another practice of the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and the Eid Milan Party has become another annual feature here. His Eminence has always emphasized that mere speech is nothing action is everything.

Just at the Sunni Razvi only, the weekly Qadiriyya Zikr has reached 1511th (August 1997). The naats (religious poetry) written by Alahazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him) were propounded, its contents explained and the melodious ways of reciting them were taught so that to start every Zikr session, the Naats were read. There were special circles set up by His Eminence specifically for naat reading. This started in Port Louis and filtered down to the villages. Today there is hardly a Sunni Muslim who does not know by heart at least one religious poem of Alahazrat.

These activities revived Islam and people from all strata of society flocked to such sessions. They acted as a means and bond to attract people to Allah and His Beloved Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). They imbibed love for and respect to the Holy descendants of the Beloved Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) of Allah. At the time when Mauritius was recovering from deep economic recession the Muslims were being prepared to manage stress by reciting the Qadiriyya Zikr which provided the necessary shield

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