Religious festivity: 'Follow Data Sahib’s teachings on tolerance'

Activities featured a mehfil-e-sama inaugurated by the finance minister

LAHORE: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar inaugurated a mehfil-i-sama on the second-day of Hazrat Ali Hajveri’s urs celebrations on Wednesday.

The ceremony started with recitation of the Holy Quran. The recitation was followed by naat and qawali performances.

The arrival of devotees from across the country continued on the second day. Thousands visited the shrine and laid floral wreaths on the tomb. Alongside mehfil-i-sama, large crowds were drawn to dhamal performances outside the shrine complex.

Speakers at various sessions held on the second day urged the devotees to spread Islam’s message of peace the world over. They emphasised the importance of tolerance for others beliefs and practices.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Qari Ghaffar, a young visitor, said he had been a regular visitor to the Data Sahib’s urs for several years. “I enjoy attending all activities arranged at the urs. Most people my age prefer listening to popular music but I like qawalis. Most qawalis are sung in the praise of God Almighty and Holy Prophet (pbuh),” he said.

Another devotee, Muhammad Boota, said the urs celebrations were important in promoting spiritualism in the society. “The Sufis have taught us to promote peace and live in harmony with others,” he said. He said he was a regular visitor to the shrine and was fond of the atmosphere at the premises. “The enthusiasm of visitors surges around the urs days,” he said.

Muhammad Aslam said performing dhammal to the beat of drums was his favourite activity at the urs.  “This is my way of paying tribute to Data Sahib,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2015.