Pakistan

Promoting Sikhism: Ground-breaking of Guru Nanak University by month-end, says Siddiqul Farooq

Farooq said that a substantial amount has been allocated for preservation of buildings owned by religious minorities

Waqar Ali August 19, 2016

A woman ties a rakhi on Siddiqul Farooq’s wrist. PHOTO: EXPRESS

HASSANABDAL: The ground-breaking of the much-delayed Guru Nanak University at Nankan Sahib will be held by the end of this month.

Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq announced this while addressing the concluding ceremony of a three-day Raksha Bandhan festival at Gurdwara Panja Sahib at Hassanabdal on Thursday.

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The foundation of the university was to be laid in 2010, however, the project could not materialise despite the fact that the Sikh community from around the world have time and again announced to bear the cost of the university.

Hundreds of members of Hindu and Sikh communities from across Pakistan including FATA participated in the festival.

Farooq claimed that the government has taken a number of steps for the welfare of religious minorities.

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He said that a substantial amount has been allocated for the preservation and renovation of buildings owned by religious minorities.

The ETPB chairman also said that work on renovation and expansion of Shamshan Ghat and Krishan Mandir in Rawalpindi, and a temple in Peshawar will be carried out soon besides constructing 100 rooms at Nankana Sahib to facilitate pilgrims.

Farooq also urged the world community to take notice of violence in Kashmir and also urged India to meet out equal treatment to religious minorities and protect their worship places and other sites.

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival to celebrates the bond of love between brothers and sisters and exchange greetings.

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Girls tie a thread around wrists of their brothers. The festival has been celebrated at the Gurdwara for years.

Like other parts of the country, Rakhi was also observed in Attock. Members of Hindu and Sikh communities participated in the festival. In this connection, a ceremony was held at Balmiki temple at Saddar Bazaar cantonment under the supervision of Pundit Madan Lal, where a large number of girls tied the thread on the wrists of their brothers.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2016.