Remembering a saint: Sachal Sarmast's 193rd Urs starts in Khairpur

SUKKUR:

The 193rd annual Urs of Hazrat Sachal Sarmast was inaugurated by the chief minister of Sindh, Qaim Ali Shah, on Sunday in Daraza Sharif, Khairpur. He laid a floral wreath at the mazaar. The saint is also popularly known as Shair-e-Haft Zaban (poet of seven languages).

He was born in 1739 in Daraza Sharif, and died in 1827. His father was Khawaja Salahuddin Farooqui, who died soon after the Sufi saint's birth. Sachal Sarmast was brought up by his uncle, Khawaja Abdul Haq-I Farooqui, who ended up being his teacher, spiritual leader and father in law as well.

A large number of devotees from across the country converged at Daraza Sharif. The Urs celebrations which will go on for three days include a mehfil-e-sama and mushaira. The arrangements were made by the Sachal Sarmast Yadgar Committee. The police have set up a control room to maintain law and order while Sepco authorities have been instructed to ensure continuous power supply.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2014.