Shah Paran

Shah Paran (R) was a renowned Sufi saint [cite book |title=A History of Chittagong |last=Kānunago |first=Sunīti Bhūshaṇa |year=1988 |publisher=Dipankar Qanungo |pages=p. 476 |url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=J-I8AAAAMAAJ&q=%22Shah+Paran%22&dq=%22Shah+Paran%22&num=100&client=firefox-a&pgis=1 |accessdate=2008-10-07] of the Suhrawardiyya and Jalalia order. It is said that he was the son of a sister of Hazrat Shah Jalal (R) and was born in Hadramaut, Yemen. He was an accomplice of his uncle, Shah Jalal, with whom he arrived in India. In 1303 AD, He took part in the expedition of Sylhet which was led by Shah Jalal. After the conquest of Sylhet he established a khanqah at Khadim Nagar in Dakshingarh Pargana, about 7 km away from Sylhet town, where he started Sufi spiritual practices and activities. He played a significant role in propagating Islam and establishing Muslim rule in the Sylhet region.

It is unclear how and when he died, but he is buried near his khanqah. For centuries, large numbers of devotees have been visiting his tomb, a practice which continues even today. [cite book |title=Bangladesh |last=McAdam |first=Marika |year=2004 |publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=9781740592802 |pages=p. 148 |url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IkQndiJHRyoC&pg=PA148&dq=%22Shah+Paran%22&num=100&client=firefox-a&sig=ACfU3U2N_Eo_NRHhL8wdKX1gJe7Oe3SUDA |accessdate=2008-10-07] On the 4th, 5th and 6th day of Rabi-ul-Awal, the Urs of Hazrat Shah Paran (R) takes place. [cite news |title=Urs at Shah Paran’s shrine begins today |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2008/mar/13/met.html |work=New Age |date=13 March 2008 |accessdate=2008-10-07 ] His grave is located in a high hillock and it is carefully preserved at a place which is built with bricks and surrounded by walls. On the northern side of the grave there is an old tree, the branches and branchlets of which are extended above the entire tomb. The name of the tree is 'Ashagachh' (a tree of hopes). From a close observation of the leaves of the tree, it appears that the tree has grown out of a mixture of the fig, mango and some other tree. People eat the seeds of the figs devotionally in the hope of getting rid of diseases. Mangoes are also eaten with utmost respect as Tabaruk. There is an ancient mosque by the side of the tomb. The mosque has been modernised in 1989-91. About 1500 devout Muslims in a body can now say their prayers there.

Adjacent to the main tomb complex of Shah Paran, found in the East of Sylhet, is another tomb visited by worshipers, that of Konya Shah. Legend has it that this follower of the great saints was neither man nor woman. There is a permanent exhibition of the life and times of this saint. Contemporary paintings and pictures featured at the tomb/exhibition depict a person most likely to be a eunuch. Though the original conquerors earned a prominent role in Islamic history, main stream Islam shuns the idea of worshiping saints and eunuchs.

A road bridge over the Surma River, [cite news |title=Hazrat Shah Paran (r) bridge across Surma river to be opened for traffic in February. |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-12153341_ITM |work=United News of Bangladesh |date=24 December 2005 |accessdate=2008-10-07 ] a passenger ferry [cite news |title=Ferry with Eid passengers sinks |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ifs_news/hi/newsid_6076000/6076534.stm |work=BBC News |date=23 October 2006 |accessdate=2008-10-07 ] and a hall of residence at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology [cite news |title=JCD calls strike at Sust today |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/12/04/d41204011212.htm |work=The Daily Star |date=4 December 2004 |accessdate=2008-10-07 ] have all been named after Shah Paran.

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