Colourful Waris Shah Urs concludes

Sufi saint known for spreading peace and interfaith harmony through his poetry

SHEIKHUPURA: The three-day Urs celebrations of Sufi poet Syed Waris Shah, who was known for spreading peace and interfaith harmony, came to an end at Jandiala Sher Khan. The event took place in an area located around 14 kilometres from Sheikhupura.

Sheikhupura Deputy Commissioner Syed Tariq Mehmood Bukhari told The Express Tribune that the shrine was beautifully decorated.  He claimed around one million followers of the saint, from all over the country, attended Urs celebrations which concluded peacefully on Wednesday.

“Around 2,000 law enforcement personnel of the traffic, Elite and Dolphin forces were on security duty. The situation was closely monitored by senior officials in the police department to ensure tight security for the devotees.

Bukhari said that at least 20 closed-circuit television cameras were also installed in and around the shrine to avoid any untoward incident. Moreover, a number of food stalls and a medical camp was also set up to provide first aid to the visitors.

On the first day of the Urs, the ghusal (washing) ceremony of the shrine with rosewater was held and a floral wreath was laid at the spot. Provincial Minister for Disaster Management Mian Khalid Mehmood, DPS Ghazi Salahuddin and MPA Sher Akbar Khan took part in the rituals.

The deputy commissioner said a Heer reciting competition, a Sufi Night, and a Mushaira were also organised to attract people. Heer reciters from all over the country participated in the competition after which prizes were also distributed among the winners.

Waris Shah was born in 1722 and died in 1798. He received his early education in a mosque in Jandiala Sher Khan and completed his formal education of Dars-e-Nizami in Kasur from Maulvi Ghulam Murtaza Kasuri. Later on, he moved to Pakpattan and stayed at the shrine of Baba Farid for some time.

Besides Heer, he wrote Tasneef Nama, Miraj Nama, Chohery Nama, Dohay and Mahias.

The district government, in collaboration with the Waris Shah Memorial Committee, organised the event.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2019.