Mumbai: Mahim Dargah Fair Concludes; Draws Over Five Lakh Visitors

The 10-day-long Mahim dargah fair concluded on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011 with more than five lakh visitors attending the fair and paying respects at the Mahim dargah in Mumbai.

The festival commemorates Makhdoom Ali Mahimi, a Muslim scholar known for his written works with liberal and humane views.

“Makhdoom Ali Mahimi came to the city 600 years ago. His explanations of the Quran are well-known among other works,” said Maulana Mehmood Ahmed Khan Daryabadi, general secretary, All India Ulema Council.

The fair has been organized since 1920 and people from all over the country attend it. Over 400 processions, which have Sufi music, Qawwali and lectures, took place this year at the dargah, where langar (free food distribution) was also organized. A unique tradition, that of the Mumbai Police offering the first ‘chadar’ at the dargah, was observed this time too.