G13

Arrival of Shah-Gazi Hazrat Sha-Jalal (R) came to Sylhet, accompanied with 360 lollowers for preaching Islam with a handful of soil from far Yemen l>y the Instruction of his uncle Syed Ahmed Kobir (R) in 1303 Bangla or 1384 A.D. Her ^ it is noted that, in "Sylheti Nagri lipi Bhasha and Shaitya", composed by Doctor S.M. Golam Kadir, published by "Bangla Academy" the arrival of Hazrat Sha-jalal is mentioned in 1103. On the other hand, Achuyt Choron Chowdhury in his book named "Sree hottoer Itibritto" mentioned stating the reference of l.nglish historian "Hunter", the arrival of Hazrat Shajalal was in I 184 A.D. So it is revealed that between 1303 or 1384 A.D, Shah(ia/.i came to Gazirpara with the message of Islam. It was not possible to find out the names of Shah-Gazi's parents, usage of his language, and his ethnic identification and nationality. Before the arrival of Shah-Gazi in Gazirpara, the situation of this place was as like as that of the whole Sylhet. People did not have faith in the sole uniqueness of Allah. People were not recognized with Ihc Rasul-e-Karim (S) the dearest one of Allah, the creator of sky and land. People had belief in many gods. They were worshipper of Idol and fire. Women were treated as the undignified beings. Female child was treated as the curse. Everywhere was full of prejudice. But when Shah-Gazi came to our village and being settled here, he started inviting the people to come to Islam. Gradually people ware recognized with Allah and his messenger. They began to take shelter under the cool shadow of Islam. At that time, Muslim population was very small. Number of Muslims was increasing gradually. For prayer Shah-Gazi built a cottage (Kacha house) on the 200 sq ft area of the hank of the river Boro Bhaga that was on the southern side of his present tomb, that was the first mosque of this village. It is prevalent in this area that people used to come threading the bushes, swimming the river to that mosque for praying together in Jamat. Some times "Zohor prayer" would held in 2.30 pm instead of its actual time for waiting for the Muslim. It is public opinion that at the ending point of life of Shah< ni/i (R) and after his death, tiger used to come to salute him at the • n t l i n g time of every month.