Bastion of peace: Centuries-old Indian Sufi shrine brings together people of all faiths

By Kaan Bozdogan

NEW DELHI (AA) – In India, the most populous country with around 1.5 billion people, the Nizamuddin Dargah attracts not only Muslim worshippers but also hundreds of thousands of tourists annually due to its distinctive architecture.

Nizamuddin Dargah in the capital, New Delhi, has been a symbol of religious harmony for eight centuries, conducting outreach activities and is a prominent attraction in the city.

In the dargah, descendants of Evliya Nizamuddin offer religious discussions and education where students are nurtured and also feature daily spiritual music performances.

The dargah, which lends its name to the neighborhood it resides in, includes tombs and a pool constructed to combat drought, where people seek respite from the heat.

Citizens who worship at the dargah, especially young people, take the opportunity to cool off in this pool during their free time.

While observing religious rituals at the tomb, the congregation at the dargah's mosque also includes Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in their prayers.

- 'Everyone, regardless of wealth or social status, can sit together here'

The shrine's custodian, Ayed Ajmal Nizami, told Anadolu that they welcome thousands of people from diverse countries and beliefs at the dargah daily.

He added, "Regardless of wealth or background, people of all views can sit together here. It's a place of peace for everyone."

Nizami, stressing the deep affection of the Dargah's community for Türkiye, said, "During the construction of the Hejaz Railway by Sultan Abdulhamid II, the people here generously sent their gold as a gift. We continue to support our Turkish brothers and sisters, always welcoming them here in good and bad times. Additionally, we greatly respect President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and look forward to his visit; we would be honored to host him."

- 'We still pray for our Turkish brothers and sisters'

Nizami highlighted the strong Türkiye-India relationship and said, "We pray for our Turkish brothers and sisters. In the recent Turkish elections, Muslims here prayed for Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership. He's seen as a strong and educational leader, a role model for future generations. His advocacy on issues like Rohingya and Palestine has earned him deep affection here, and we pray for both him and Türkiye."

Nizami said he learned Turkish in 2 years to communicate better with Turkish guests.

Mentioning Nizamuddin Dargah's open-door policy for people of all faiths, he emphasized its reputation for "answered prayers."

He also mentioned that he prays for President Erdogan, his family, and the Turkish people, wishing them strength, health, and protection from calamities and strife.

*Writing by Necva Tastan in Istanbul