It was my long held desire to visit the resting place of Sheikh Saadi Shirazi. He is one of the most outstanding personalities of the Islamic World. Sheikh Saadi’s teachings emphasizes the transformative powers of love, compassion and kindness . These values are reflected by the behaviour of the people of Shiraz. They are very hospitable and helpful. When I boarded a bus from Yazd University administered by its very humble, caring and disciplined staff, I was struggling with online hotel booking.
An Iranian co-passenger named Amir Ali noticed it and told me to leave the matter with him. He rang a friend in Shiraz and requested him to host me. Our bus left Yazd at 7.30 pm on 23 of April 2025 and arrived 2 in the morning, where Amir Ali’s friend named Barham was waiting for us. Agha Barham took us to his family house. He and his wife treated us like family members. The local people at the resting place of Sheikh Saadi Shirazi were equally kind and caring. Some of them invited us to their houses, but we couldn’t go. In front of the tomb, we were looking for a taxi and a bystander said he would take us back to our host.
The location of the tomb of Saadi Shirazi indicates it must have been an empty place at the time of his burial. The place is surrounded by mountains, but at the bottom, artificial trees have been planted to minimize the impact of the heat. The monument of Saadi Shirazi now significantly contribute to local economy as it is visited by a large number of national and international visitors. The government of Iran has very wisely made the sight impressive and continue to promote the teachings of Islamic celebrities like Sheikh Saadi, Hafiz Shirazi, Imam Ghazsli and Abu Qasim Ferdowsi.
Quayyum Raja's full official name is Abdul Quayyum Raja, but the British press shortened his name when he was arrested in connection with an Indian diplomat kidnapped by his fellow KASHMIRIS in Birmingham in 1984 to save the life of a Kashmiri Hero Muhammad Maqbool Butt hanged by India and buried inside Tihar jail on 11 February 1984. Quayyum Raja is from Azad Jammu Kashmir administered by Pakistan. He acquired various qualifications from EU and UK, including a Master in Psychology & Social Sciences, Journalism and Modern World History. He supports both Pan Islam and Pluralism, which may sound a contradiction, but he claims he can draw a balance. Quayyum Raja spent about 22 years in British jail extra-juducially as a Kashmiri political prisoner. He was released by the European Court of Human Rights on 17 May 2005. He has travelled extensively both before his captivity and after his release.
