The Saint at the Mount Ketchimalai Dharga Shareef

The Bukhari - Muslim Grand Feast at Ketchimala Dharga Shareef, Beruwala will take place on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 9.30 a.m. The Ziyarath ceremony at the shrine of His Holiness Sheikh Ashroff Valiullah tomorrow (30) at 9 p.m.

In a scenic beauty of Sri Lanka, in Beruwala lies beautiful mount namely Ketchimalai bearing the monument and Maqbara of His holiness Sheik Ashraff Walliyullahs is enshrined. Muslims consider this place as a great historical and religious place worthy of admiration.

Muslims all over Sri Lanka visit Ketchimalai Dharga Shareef and pay homage and Salams to this great Sheik mainly because of his contribution to the spiritual advancement of Islam and Muslims they pay regular visit to this place and spend their time in the thought of Allah and perform Zikr and concentrate on the beautiful environment around Beruwala.

Today marks the completion of narration of Hadees of the Prophet culminating with the Ziyarath and feast in the name of this great of saint.

Over a long period of time Muslims have had the blessings of all governments to make this great feast of Beruwala unique event.

The Mosque situated in the hill top of ‘Ketchimale’ as per description in the famous book ‘Silk Route’ by Ibn Batuta has history dating back to 14th century when the original Muslims settlers, settled down at Beruwala and His holiness Sanit Ash Sheik Ashraff Walliyullahs whose shrine is now at this mosque is one among them.

It was in the year 1882, when the then Governor of Sri Lanka Sir Arthur Henry Gordon was on his official visit to Galle the horse he was riding miraculously (on its own) changed the usual route at Beruwala and took on to the present Customs road, and knelt down at the foot steps of an old shrine on top of the hill, (which is presently known as Ketchimalai) and refused to move there from.

The Governor was so taken and felt that there is some spiritual significance attached to this premises. He then made inquiries from those gathered to learn that it was a ‘tomb’ of his Holiness Ash Sheik Ashraff Walliyullah.

The Governor immediately instructed his secretary who too was on the official tour to make arrangements to donate that portion of the land as a gift from his Majesty King George. This was done and the then chief incumbent His Highness Al Haj Moulavi Sheik Hamza Allim Bin Mohamed Abdulla Ahim Alaviyathul Kadiri was in possession of the original of this historic document.

Thereafter the present Mosque took its shape with the assistance of well-wishers and continuously without any interruption the Buhari Muslim feast where the sacred ‘Hadees’ (saying of the Prophet) is being recited for 30 days is being conducted for the past several years. This is a feast common for all Muslims irrespective of any sects and therefore is patronised by Muslims from all parts of island.

Incidentally the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation is relaying the event uninterrupted since 1951.

It is worthy of mention the importance of the mosque where annual Majlees takes place, Sheik Abdulla Alim Hajiar the father of Sheik Hamza Alim who initiated this Majlees and had a strong sense of love to the saying of Prophet Muhammed (Sal) and the Ahlul Baith.

He was closely assisted by Seyideena Ahmed Bin Abdulla Bafaqwh, together with Seyideena Hussain Habshi Al Makki in continuing this narration of Hadees.

This city of Beruwala in the State of Western Province of Sri Lanka was donated by a King whose name was Varappirasathi who ruled Beruwala in 1274.

The construction of Sheik Ashraff Walliyullahs Dharga was done by Sheik Abdul Cader son of Kathib Sheik Yoosuf. Thereafter Sheik Hassan Al Maqdumi’s disciple Sheik Ismail of Barbaren became caretaker of the Shrine. Sheik Ismail was a learned man and many accepted him as a spiritual leader it is in this hereditary that Sheik Hamza Alim took over as the caretaker. Sheik Hamza lived a model life and was respected through the island.

Beruwala and Ketchimalai are synonymous among Muslims. They always consider it as a place of worship and reliance. Sheik Ashraff Walliyullah on his way to visit Adams Peak in Sri Lanka was deviated as his ship in which he travelled was diverted and landed in Beruwala and since then he lived and did great service to the Muslims of Beruwala and particular of Sri Lankan in general so that peace and harmony will prevail among all communities.

This was the clear intention of Sheik Ashraff Walliyullah whose Maqbara is now in Ketchimalai at the hill top of Beruwala where Muslims all over Sri Lanka gather in good faith and perform Zikr and enjoyed the great feast of the renounced and respected.