Government Degree College (GDC) for Women, Baramulla, organised an insightful extension lecture on the life, works, and contributions of the revered Sufi scholar and reformer, Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (RA). The event was held under the guidance of the college Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Neelofar Bhat, and aimed to shed light on the multidimensional impact of Hamadani’s teachings on Kashmir’s spiritual, cultural, and intellectual evolution.
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The lecture was delivered by Prof. Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi, a distinguished scholar and former Chairperson of the Department of Islamic and Religious Studies at the Central University of Kashmir. Prof. Rafiabadi has also served as the Director of the Shah-i-Hamadan Institute of Islamic Studies, Dean of the Schools of Social Sciences and Media Studies at the Central University of Kashmir, and Director of the International Centre for Spiritual Studies at the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora. He is currently a Visiting Researcher at ISTAC, International Islamic University Malaysia.
In his address, Prof. Rafiabadi offered a comprehensive overview of Mir Syed Ali Hamadani’s (RA) spiritual mission and intellectual legacy. He described the 14th-century Sufi saint as a bridge between Central Asian scholarship and Kashmiri civilisation, noting that Hamadani’s arrival in Kashmir introduced a transformative era in art, spirituality, and social ethics.
Highlighting his contributions to Persian literature, calligraphy, crafts, and architecture, Prof. Rafiabadi explained how Hamadani (RA) helped shape the very identity of Kashmir as a centre of culture and spirituality. He particularly emphasised his influence on the introduction of handicrafts and shawl weaving in the Valley, which later became the hallmark of Kashmiri economy and aesthetics.
The speaker further reflected on Hamadani’s efforts to reform society through education, ethical trade, and moral discipline, underscoring that his teachings were deeply rooted in the Quran and Sunnah. “Mir Syed Ali Hamadani (RA) was not only a spiritual leader but also a visionary social reformer who understood the importance of knowledge, unity, and economic independence,” Prof. Rafiabadi remarked.
Principal Prof. (Dr.) Neelofar Bhat, in her concluding remarks, appreciated the enlightening lecture and said that understanding figures like Hamadani (RA) is crucial for young generations to reconnect with their spiritual and cultural roots. She also stressed the need to integrate such legacy-based discourses into academic learning for a holistic educational experience.
Faculty members, students, and scholars from different departments attended the event, engaging actively in the interactive session that followed. The lecture concluded with a note of gratitude to Prof. Rafiabadi for his scholarly insights and to the organising committee for successfully hosting a session that celebrated one of Kashmir’s most influential spiritual personalities.
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