Sir Syed Sani Syed Ali Shah Bukhari

Sir Syed Sani Syed Ali Shah Bukhari (Urdu: سید علی شاہ بُخاری‎) (born 30 November 1914 – 30 March 1979) commonly known as Ali Shah,Sir Syed Sani, 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 Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir. He founded Mazhar Ul Haq High School Beerwah in 1934 and Anjuman Mazhar Ul Haq in 1951. 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 until 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 a social reformer and a national builder of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Allaqa Beerwah, which forms a major part of central and north Kashmir. He commanded respect from Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims for his views and dedication to the cause of education.

Syed Ali Shah Bukhari was born on 30 November 1914, the second born son of the noble Syed family in Syed Pora (Soodi Pora) Beerwah. His ancestors are said to have come from Bukhara in Uzbekistan. His father, Syed Gulam Mohamed Bukhari, a religious scholar in the Budgam district, was a close friend of Mirwaiz Mohamed Yusuf Shah. Bukhari studied Arabic, Persian, and Islamic literature with his father. Later, he pursued his 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.

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. Founded thirteen years before the independence of India, the school worked as a madrassa and primary school in which both academic Arabic and Persian were taught. Students came from tehsil Beerwah, the district of Budgam, the district of Srinagar and the district of 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 to assist those in need, Jamia Masjid funding, Baitulmaal, and various other projects. Apart from playing a role in the promotion of literacy, Bukhari was a religious scholar and social activist guiding people in their day-to-day lives. 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."

Syed Ali Shah Bukhari's association with politics was a means of helping his area improve its socio-economic situation. His close association with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah entailed the establishment of tehsil (administrative division) headquarters at Beerwah as well as associated offices like the BDO and educational institutions. The establishment of a hospital in Beerwah by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, and the network of roads that were constructed were achieved due to his political leadership. He ran twice for a seat in the Legislative Assembly. In 1957, he ran in the election for the Beerwah constituency on behalf of the National Conference and, in 1977, he ran for the Budgam constituency on behalf of the Janta Party. He was arrested on political grounds in 1965, released on parole, and re-arrested and eventually released in 1969.

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 called Chirag-e-Beerwah.

As a leader he embraced common human values. 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 by 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, and by educating people in methods of sanitation and cleanliness. He also worked as postmaster and helped establish many post offices in the area. He went door-to-door to recruit children for school.

Bukhari's Grave

Syed Ali Shah Bukhari died on March 30, 1979, at the age of sixty-five. 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 it was attended by thousands of people including students, political leaders, and various government officials. Bukhari is commemorated across the 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 improvement of the people of Tehsil Beerwah. Sikhs, Kashmiri Pandiths, and Muslims mourned his death.