SRINAGAR, June 27: The holy relics which were retrieved from the shrine of saint Sheikh Abdul Qadir Geelani, after fire broke out destroying the shrine, were displayed on Wednesday in front of media persons and a few locals.
The relics were displayed to allay fears among people that the relics were damaged.
The hair of the beard of Dastgeer Sahab – as the saint is locally called – was shown by the Sajadanisheen or the chief priest of the shrine that was gutted in fire on Monday.
Besides a copy of the Holy Quran – believed to be written by Hazrat Abu Baqr Siddiq, the first caliph of Muslims – was also shown.
The priest also displayed a copy of Quranic verses written by Hazrat Ali-the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad and the fourth caliph-on deer skin.
“All the relics are safe and in perfect shape,” the chief priest told the gathering.
Another large copy of the holy Quran was also displayed.
The relics were retrieved by a group of local youth immediately after fire broke out in the centuries-old structure in Khanyar area of downtown Srinagar. These relics were then kept safe at the house of the chief priest.
The fire incident sent shock waves across the valley.
Wednesday, the priest called media persons to bear witness to the proper condition of the relics.
