More recently, the celebration of the Urs (death anniversaries) of the awliya (Sufi saints) has gained momentum in Mauritius over the years. Muslims gather to celebrate the successful completion of the life of these Sufi mystics. Such a gathering is referred to as Urs, in Urdu, and hawl or ziyara, among those who speak Arabic. An example is 'Shrine Pilgrimage in Turkmenistan' as Sufi Shrines are deeply connected with Spiritual Orders.
Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddiqui Qadiri (may Allah be pleased with him) helped the Muslims much by the preparation of the teachings of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him), Kwaja Moinuddin Chishti (may Allah be pleased with him), Alahazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him) and other spiritual personalities. It had been the norm to celebrate Urs on a yearly basis at specific locations in Port Louis, but the remaining part of the island it was a rare event.
When His Eminence arrived in Mauritius in 1965, the Urs of all spiritual preceptors was revived. For the first time in Mauritius the Urs of Syed Pir Jamal Shah Qadiri Bin Murtaza Shah Bawa (may Allah be pleased with him) was celebrated on 13 April 1967 (second Muharram 1387). Urs of the Great Saint of India, Sultan-ul-Hind Hazrat Kwaja Muinuddin Chishti (may Allah be pleased with him) has also a special place in the heart of our beloved Pir. This glorious, sacred and stately celebration is given all the splendor and respect it deserves and it runs normally for two days.
The Urs of this Holy Saint is one of the most popular religious functions in India. It draws a large number of participants from different parts of that great country. Members of all other faiths attend it as well. This Saint is universally known and loved for the number of miracles that are attached to the sacred eminence of his personality. Members of various communities go to manifest their love and respect at his Holy Shrine.The Urs of Sayyiduna Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him) started to be celebrated on the 11th of every lunar month and annually at the Jummah Mosque, Port Louis and was extended to the Sunni Razvi Academy soon after its construction. These have been occasions for the remembrance of the life, work, sacrifices and teachings of Ghaus-ul-Azam. In 1990 more than 237 monthly Igyarween Shareef have been celebrated with due respect and sincerity. These functions have been organized with a view to rekindle the love of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah be pleased with him). On such occasions comprehensive programs are elaborated which comprise the following items:
Quranic recitals
Chanting and recitation of the Qaseeda Gauthiyya
Qadiriyya Halqa Zikr
Khatam Shareef
Salaam and salawaat of the Holy Prophet (Peace and blessing be Upon Him)
Bazme Ghausia and Qadria Langar (Taqseem-E-Tabarruk)
Under the able guidance of His Eminence such "stately celebrations" have made an everlasting impression on the hearts and minds of the Muslims and, no doubt, the benefits that accrue to those participating in such sacred ceremonies are tremendous. Throughout every nook and corner of the island, people know and talk about these celebrations and especially the poor, rejoice at this resurrection of the time of ‘Aam Khana’ (food for all), which had been abolished long before the arrival of His Eminence.
Ever since the arrival of His Eminence, the Urs Shareef of that Guiding Star of the eastern firmament, Alahazrat Ahmad Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him) has been celebrated due respect to its sanctity. A glimpse from the sacred life of this great Saint and genius scholar is enough to convince any Muslim about this grandeur as a true Muslim. He lived a blessed life since his childhood up to his last breath. His religious work has immortalized him to such an extent that learned men opine that the world has not produced such a better theologian. Among his disciple’s rank eminent theologians, one of whom being the great globetrotting missionary, Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddiqui Qadiri Razvi (may Allah be pleased with him).
The death anniversary of Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddiqui Qadiri (may Allah be pleased with him) is another function that does not escape His Eminence. Indeed during his lifetime, Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddiqui (may Allah be pleased with him) had devoted a part of his precious time in paying occasional visits to Mauritius to reanimate the love of religion among the Muslims. He was a very fervent and pious Muslim and people always pay tribute by attending the Urs in his honor.
The Urs of these great personalities of Islam once introduced gained momentum and began to be celebrated in all parts of the country:
Alahazrat Imam Ahle Sunnat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him)
Hazrat Hujjatul Imam Shah Hamid Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him)
Hazrat Mufi-e-Azam Hind Shah Mustafa Raza Khan (may Allah be pleased with him)
Hazrat Maulana Ibrahim Raza Khan Jilani Mian (may Allah be pleased with him)
Hazrat Mualana Abdul Aleem Siddiqui al-Qadiri (may Allah be pleased with him)
Hazrat Peer Jamal Shah (may Allah be pleased with him), and the performance of Fateha for innumerable other great spiritual leaders was recommended by His Eminence.
During the 10 beautiful nights of Muharram, the martyrdom of the Saints of Karbala (RA) is narrated and on the 10th day the Urs of Imam Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) is celebrated all round Mauritius.
The Grand Annual event (Me'raj Shareef) is also celebrated which has a special place in the heart of every Muslim. During this the Universal Preceptor, the Savior of Muslims on the day of Resurrection, the Chosen Most Cherished, First and Last Prophet, the beloved Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha (Peace and blessings be Upon Him) went to meet his Creator. That meeting of a lover with His Beloved, has, since been observed throughout the centuries as a night of prayers, contemplation, meditation and salvation. It is on that very night that Allah Almighty sent prayer as a token of His Mercy through His Most Beloved Prophet (Peace and blessings be Upon Him) to his followers.
