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Masthan Sahib Qadri

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Indian Islamic spiritual leader and hereditary Kalifa of Nagore Dargah

Kalifa Masthan Sahib Qadri
Sajjada Nasheen, Gaddi Nasheen, Spiritual Head, leading Priest of the Nagore Dargah
Nagore Dargah Kalifa
First Trustee of Nagore Dargah
Incumbent
Assumed office
2012
Preceded byMohammad Kalifa Sahib Qadri
Succeeded byAhmad Kalifa Sahib Qadri
Personal details
BornKalifa Masthan Sahib Qadri
(1982-05-13) 13 May 1982 (age 43)
Nagore, India
ChildrenOne Son - Ahmad Kalifa Sahib
CommitteesBoard of Trustees in Nagore Dargah
AwardsHonorable Doctorate of Divinity
Websitenagoredargahshariff.com nagoredargahkalifa.com

Kalifa Masthan Sahib Qadri (born 1982) is the current and 11th Nagore Dargah Hereditary Kalifa (Leading Priest) is also Called Sajjada Nasheen and Gaddi Nasheen in India.[1] He became First Trustee (Board of Trustees) of Nagore Dargah following the death of his father, Mohammad Kalifa Sahib Qadri death in 2012.[2][3][4]

Name and usage

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"Kalifa Masthan Sahib Qadri" is his full personal name, with "Kalifa" forming an integral part of the name given to him by his parents at birth. In addition to functioning as a hereditary spiritual responsibility within the Nagore Dargah tradition, "Kalifa" is also used as a personal given name.[4]

Across Islamic societies worldwide, including South India, the term "Kalifa" (also spelled "Khalifa") is used both as a personal name and as a designation associated with leadership or responsibility. In Tamil Nadu usage, the spelling "Kalifa" is commonly preferred. Independent sources, including court records and media reports, consistently refer to him as "Kalifa Masthan Sahib Qadri", indicating that the term is not employed merely as an honorific title in his case, but as part of his commonly used and officially recorded name.[3]

Early Life and Family Background

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Kalifa Masthan Sahib Qadri was born on 13 May 1982 in Nagore, Tamil Nadu, into the historic hereditary Kalifa lineage of the Nagore Dargah. He is the son of Mohammad Kalifa Sahib Qadri, the 10th Hereditary Kalifa, who served from 1982 to 2012.[4][3][5]

From an early age, he received guidance in the religious traditions, spiritual duties, and ceremonial practices associated with the dargah. He received early religious instruction within the Nagore Dargah tradition.He received early religious instruction within the Nagore Dargah tradition. Following the passing of his father in 2012, he succeeded to the position of the 11th Hereditary Kalifa, continuing the unbroken spiritual lineage associated with the custodianship of Hazrat Shahul Hameed Qadir Wali Sarkar (Nagore Andavar). As the hereditary successor, he oversees the rituals, traditions, and ceremonial responsibilities linked to the saint’s legacy.[3][4]

He also holds the position of First Trustee of the Board of Trustees of Nagore Dargah, as defined under the court-approved administrative scheme.[4][3]

As per the hereditary succession tradition of the Nagore Dargah, the lineage continues through his son, SahibZada Ahmad Kalifa Sahib.[4]

Roles and Responsibilities

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Kalifa (Sajjada Nasheen / Gaddi Nasheen)

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The Kalifa of Nagore Dargah serves as the hereditary spiritual head, with responsibilities distinct from administrative governance, traditionally succeeding from father to eldest son. The position represents the unbroken lineage descended from the saint, Hazrat Syed Shahul Hameed Qadir Wali Sarkar (R.A). Only one Kalifa can exist at a time.[4]

Major Roles and Duties

  • Leads all spiritual, religious and ceremonial functions of the Dargah.[6][7][8]
  • Performs and presides over key rituals including the annual Urs, sandal ceremony, and other traditional observances.[2][5][9]
  • Notably, in the sacred Dargahs of Hazrat Shahul Hameed Qadiri Valiyullah (R.A) and Syed Mohamad Sahib Arif Billah Qadiri (R.A) — including the Chinna Andavar Ravar Sharif, Silladi and Vanchur Dargah Sharif — the traditional ritual of applying sandal paste is exclusively performed by the hereditary Kalifa, with his own hands.[2][9][10]
  • Acts as the custodian of sacred relics, spiritual traditions, and the hereditary practices of the shrine.[1]
  • Provides religious guidance to devotees and ensures continuity of Qadiri Sufi practices.
  • Holds the exclusive hereditary right to enter the Roula Sharif (inner sanctum) for performing specific rituals.[2][9]
  • Represents the Dargah in spiritual matters and maintains the traditional identity of the shrine.[5]
  • He formally represents the Nagore Dargah in spiritual ceremonies and in major events at local, national, and international levels.[11][12][13][14][15]
  • Ensures the preservation of centuries-old customs connected to the saint and his lineage.[1]

The Kalifa’s role is entirely spiritual and hereditary, and remains distinct from administrative and financial management.[1][5]

Hereditary First Trustee (Board Trustee of Nagore Dargah)

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The First Trustee is a member of the (8 members) Board of Trustees as defined under the court-approved Dargah administrative framework. The position is hereditary within the Kalifa family and is held concurrently by the serving Kalifa.[16][3][17]

Major Roles and Duties

  • Serves as the hereditary trustee on the Board of Trustees.[1]
  • Participates in decision-making related to the administration of the Dargah.
  • Shares equal voting rights with other trustees on matters concerning management, maintenance, and governance.
  • Ensures that administrative activities comply with the approved scheme and legal requirements.
  • Coordinates with other trustees regarding the upkeep of buildings, facilities, sanitation, and infrastructure.
  • As the First Hereditary Trustee of the Nagore Dargah, he represents the institution in administrative and legal meetings and major events at the local, national, and international levels.[11][12][13]
  • Oversees administrative arrangements during festivals, large gatherings, and public events.[7]
  • Helps preserve the historical, cultural, and religious significance of the Dargah through supervisory responsibilities.

Although the Kalifa exercises spiritual authority, administrative decisions within the Dargah are collectively handled by the Board of Trustees, with the First Trustee serving as the hereditary head within that body.[17]

Spiritual Leadership and Administration

In the Nagore Dargah, the office of the Kalifa functions as the traditional and spiritual head of the shrine, presiding over religious rites, rituals, and ceremonies associated with the dargah’s heritage.[1][2]

Administrative matters of the dargah, however, are overseen by the Managing Trustee, who is responsible for the day-to-day governance, financial administration, and implementation of decisions as defined under the court-approved scheme.[18][19][11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f ThemePixels. "LawSuit - The Unique Case Finder - Research Simplified". lawsuitcasefinder.com. Retrieved 2025-10-11.
  2. ^ a b c d e மலர், மாலை (2022-01-17). "நாகூர் தர்கா கந்தூரி விழாவையொட்டி ஆண்டவர் சமாதிக்கு சந்தனம் பூசும் நிகழ்ச்சி | nagore dargah kanduri festival". www.maalaimalar.com (in Tamil). Retrieved 2025-01-23.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Nagore Dargah trustee dies". The Hindu. 2012-04-05. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-10-11.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Dargah Spiritual – Nagore Dargah Kalifa". Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  5. ^ a b c d "Dargah pilgrims witness anointment ceremony". The Times of India. 2002-08-20. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  6. ^ "Nagore dargah festival begins with holy flag hoisting". The Hindu. 2024-11-30. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  7. ^ a b தினத்தந்தி (2022-01-01). "நாகூர் தர்காவில், 5 மினராக்களில் பாய்மரம் ஏற்றப்பட்டது". www.dailythanthi.com (in Tamil). Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  8. ^ DIN (2021-01-10). "நாகூர் தர்கா 464 -ஆம் ஆண்டு கந்தூரி விழா: மனோராக்களில் கொடிமரம் ஏற்றம்". Dinamani (in Tamil). Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  9. ^ a b c "A.R. Rahman prays at Nagore Dargah during Santhanakoodu festival". The Hindu. 2025-12-01. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  10. ^ DIN (2019-10-09). "நாகூர் சில்லடி தர்கா சந்தனக்கூடு ஊர்வலம்". Dinamani (in Tamil). Retrieved 2025-12-06.
  11. ^ a b c "வேளாங்கண்ணி தேவாலய ஆண்டுத் திருவிழா நிறைவு". தினமலர் (in Tamil). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  12. ^ a b செய்திப்பிரிவு (2023-09-08). "வேளாங்கண்ணியில் பெரிய தேர் பவனி - லட்சக்கணக்கான பக்தர்கள் பங்கேற்பு". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  13. ^ a b webteam (2023-09-08). "வேளாங்கண்ணி பேராலய தேர் பவனி திருவிழா – லட்சக்கணக்கான பக்தர்கள் பங்கேற்பு". Puthiyathalaimurai (in Tamil). Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  14. ^ "Modi takes spiritual mode in Amma's abode". Hindustan Times. 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  15. ^ "India will become a world leader in near future: Modi". The Hindu. 2013-09-26. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  16. ^ Fernando, Antony (2022-08-10). "Nagapattinam: Trustee board fallout leads to cancellation of Muharram prayers at Nagore Dargah". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  17. ^ a b "Dargah Administration – Nagore Dargah Kalifa". Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  18. ^ migrator (2019-02-08). "Kandoori festival begins at Nagore". www.dtnext.in. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  19. ^ "Nagore Dargah Kanduri festival from November 21 in Nagapattinam". www.dtnext.in. 2025-10-31. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
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