Photo: BSS

CHAPAINAWABGANJ, Sept 11, 2026 (BSS) – The Urs Sharif of Hazrat Shah Niamatullah (RA) was held at the historic Sonamasjid Tohakhana in Shibganj upazila of the district today.

The Urs Sharif was observed throughout the day today at the shrine of Hazrat Shah Niamatullah (RA), located beside the historic Chhoto Sona Mosque in the Gaur area of Shibganj upazila.

As in previous years, hundreds of devout Muslims attended the occasion this year. On the occasion of the Urs, a special ghilaf (ceremonial covering) was placed over the shrine of Shah Niamatullah (RA) at the Tohakhana Complex.

The programme also included Quran recitation, a Milad Mahfil, special zikr and azkar, and a prayer gathering in the morning.

Later, following the Jummah prayers at Tohakhana Jame Mosque, a special prayer was offered for the peace and prosperity of the country and its people, with a large number of worshippers taking part.

Alongside the ordinary devotees, officials and employees of the district and upazila administrations, as well as local public representatives, also attended the Urs Sharif.

After the Jummah prayers, various garments worn by Hazrat Shah Niamatullah (RA), along with his personal belongings, were made available for public viewing for devotees who had come from different parts of the country.

In connection with the Urs, hundreds of devotees from Chapainawabganj and neighbouring districts began arriving from Thursday afternoon (September 10).

They spent the night engaged in worship and religious observances. A fair featuring various goods and merchandise was also set up on both sides of the highway adjacent to Chhoto Sona Mosque on the occasion of the Urs.

Meanwhile, security measures were taken by law enforcement agencies throughout the fairground and Urs area to ensure the smooth and peaceful completion of the event.
 
Urs Mahfil at the shrine of Shah Niamatullah (RA) at Tohakhana is organised every year during the first or second week of September, usually on the last Friday of the Bengali month of Bhadra.

Thousands of devout Muslims from Chapainawabganj as well as Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore and Pabna districts attend the event.

Shah Niamatullah (RA) preached Islam in this region with distinction for nearly 33 years.

He, later, passed away in Pirojpur in 1075 Hijri (1664 AD), according to one account, or in 1080 Hijri (1669 AD), according to another. He was buried at Tohakhana.

The shrine of Shah Niamatullah (RA) is located inside the Tohakhana complex in Shahabazpur Union of Shibganj upazila, a border-adjacent area approximately 35 kilometres from Chapainawabganj district town. The shrine stands to the north of the three-domed mosque of Shah Niamatullah (RA).