Sir Syed Sani Syed Ali Shah Bukhari

Sir Syed Sani Syed Ali Shah Bukhari
سرسید ثانی سید علی شاہ بُخاری
Born	30 November 1914 Syed Pora, Beerwah
Died	30 March 1979 (aged 64)
Other names	Sir Syed Sani
Alma mater	[[Mazhar Ul Haq High School, Beerwah |Mazhar Ul Haq High School]]
Religion	Islam
Era	20th century, Modern era
Region	Jammu and Kashmir
School	Islamic
Institutions	Mazhar Ul Haq High School, Beerwah ,Anjuman Mazhar Ul Haq
Main interests	Pragmatism, Education, Philanthropist, Islam

Sir Syed Sani Syed Ali Shah Bukhari (Urdu: سید علی شاہ بُخاری‎) (born 30 November 1914 – 30 March 1979) commonly known as Ali Shah, Molvi Saeeb, Sir Syed Kashmir, Chirag-i-Beerwah, or Musleh-Millat, was a 20th-century Kashmiri Muslim pragmatist, Islamic modernist, philosopher, Islamic jurist, social activist and educator in the Budgam district of India administered by Jammu and Kashmir. He founded Anjuman Mazhar Ul Haq in 1951 and Mazhar Ul Haq High School Beerwah in 1934. He also reconstructed and expanded the Grand Jamia Masjid Beerwah. He was the khateeb (Orator), Imam and Mirwaiz of the Grand Jamia Masjid Beerwah whose foundation stone was laid by his elder brother, Syed Syeed Shah Bukhari, in 1928. Syed Shah Bukhari was the Imam/Mirwaiz of historical Jamia Masjid, Srinagar after Mirwaiz Yousef Sahib till he left the Kashmir Valley. He is known as an early pioneer who recognized the critical role of education in the empowerment of the poor and disenfranchised in the Muslim community. In more than one way, Bukhari was one of the greatest social reformers and a great national builder of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Allaqa Beerwah, which forms a major part of central and north Kashmir. He commanded great respect from both Hindus and Muslims for his progressive views and dedication towards the cause of education.

Early life and education

Syed Ali Shah Bukhari was the second born son of the noble Syed family in Syed Pora (Soodi Pora) Beerwah on 30 November 1914. His ancestral roots are said to have come from Bukhara in Uzbekistan. His father Syed Gulam Mohamed Bukhari, a notable religious scholar of the district Budgam, was a close friend of Mirwaiz Mohamed Yusuf Shah. Bukhari studied Arabic, Persian and Islamic literature from his father. Later, he pursued further education in Amritsar with his maternal uncle. Like many of the scholars of his time, Bukhari lived a very simple life, growing up poor but religious.

Social Activism

Syed Ali Shah Bukhari founded a missionary primary school Mazhar Ul Haq High School in 1934 to improve children's education, particularly for poor families. The institution has grown into a high school which provides both religious and secular education. Bukhari founded Mazhar Ul Haq High School Beerwah in 1934, almost 13 years before the independence of India. Initially the school worked as a madrassa and primary school in which both academic Arabic andPersian were taught. The school taught students from tehsil Beerwah, district Budgam, district Srinagar and district Baramulla. Syed Ali Shah Bukhari also founded Anjuman Mazhar ul Haq in 1951,which functions as a semi-governing body in Beerwah and manages the Jamia Masjid Beerwah and Mazhar ul Haq High School Beerwah. Additionally, the Anjuman Mazhar ul Haq manages Bairam (the stone mountain) whose revenue is used for assisting those in need, Jamia Masjid funding, Baitulmaal, and various other projects. Apart from playing a significant role in the promotion of literacy, Bukhari was a prominent religious scholar and social activist guiding people in their day-to-day life. He laid down the foundation stone of Jamia Masjid Beerwah in 1928 along with his elder brother Syed Saeed Bukhari and gave Friday sermons in the Masjid until his death. According to local legends, "He used to hold court to hear and resolve family disputes. In fact, the police too would seek his consent before registering the FIR about any case."^[1]

Political Activism

Syed Ali Shah Bukhari's association with politics was a means of helping his area improve its socio-economic development. His close associations with prime minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah entailed establishment of tehsil headquarters at Beerwah as well as associated offices like the BDO and educational institutions. Establishment of a hospital in Beerwah by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the networking of roads were achieved due to his political leadership. He ran for a position in the Legislative Assembly twice. In 1957, he ran for election from the Beerwah constituency on behalf of National Conference and, in 1977, he ran for Budgam Constituency on behalf of the Janta Party. He was also arrested on political grounds in 1965 released on parole and again arrested, and eventually released, in 1969.

Title of Sir Syed Sani

He was awarded the title of Sir Syed Sani (second Sir Syed ) by the then Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Mohamad Abdullah for his notable work in the field of education and social work. Fazil Kashmiri, a poet, wrote a piece on Mawlana Ali Bukhari which is known as Chirag-e-Beerwah.^[1]

Praise

As a leader of humanity, he embraced common human values which endeared him to every community. He allowed all sects of people and students admission to free education. Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims sat side by side. Bukhari valued scientific enquiry and a civilised attitude based on tolerance, mutual co-existence and love for values and traditions over obscurantism and superstition. He encouraged people to live peacefully through resolving their day to day disputes, supported people during times of distress and disadvantage, and instilled in students a spirit of social service by repairing roads and culverts, educating people in methods of sanitation and cleanliness. He also worked as postmaster and helped establish many post offices in the area. He went to door-to-door to recruit children for schooling and groomed them into academicians and notable citizens of society.

Death

Bukhari's Grave

Syed Ali Shah Bukhari died on March 30, 1979 at the age of 65. He was buried in the courtyard of Jamia Masjid Beerwah beside the premises of Mazhar Ul Haq High School. His funeral prayers were led by Mirwaiz Kashmir Maulana Mohammad Farooq and was attended by thousands of people including students, political leaders, and various government officials. Bukhari is widely commemorated across Kashmir Valley as a great Muslim reformer and visionary. The school he founded remains one of Jammu and Kashmir's prominent institutions. In Tehsil Beerwah, Bukhari is commemorated as a pioneer who worked for the socio-political upliftment of people of Tehsil Beerwah. All sections of society Sikhs, Kashmiri Pandiths and Muslims mourned his death.^[1]

References

1. "Beerwah Mirwaiz bereaved". www.greaterkashmir.com. Retrieved 2015-10-16.