Srinagar, Nov 8 : The historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar’s Imam, Syed Ahmad Sayeed Naqshbandi, popularly known as Imam-e-Hai, has stepped down from his position after an illustrious tenure of 63 years.
The revered cleric, who has been the spiritual head and the voice of the grand mosque for over six decades, has appointed his son as the new Grand Imam of Jamia Masjid, Nowhatta, Srinagar.
Insiders told KNS that a formal public announcement and Dastarbandi (ceremonial turban-tying) of the new Imam will be held on coming Friday at Jamia Masjid Srinagar, in the presence of prominent religious scholars, community elders, and a large gathering of devotees.
Imam Naqshbandi, known for his profound scholarship and dignified sermons, has led congregational prayers and guided the faithful through periods of immense social change in Kashmir. His calm leadership and unwavering commitment to religious harmony earned him deep respect across communities.
The transition marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter, with his son expected to uphold the same legacy of faith, learning, and guidance that has defined the Naqshbandi family’s association with the Jamia Masjid for generations.
The Jamia Masjid Srinagar, located in the heart of the Shehr-e-Khaas at Nowhatta, was commissioned by Sultan Sikandar in the late 14th century and completed during the reign of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin. Known for its 378 majestic wooden pillars and vast courtyard, the mosque stands as one of Kashmir’s greatest architectural and spiritual treasures. For centuries, it has remained a symbol of Islamic learning, public congregation, and the collective religious and cultural identity of the Kashmiri people.
