Cancellation of Bari Imam Urs disappoints devotees

Urs at Bari Imam was cancelled the second time in a row disappointing devotees coming from all over Pakistan.

People coming from all over Pakistan for the annual Urs at Bari Imam in Islamabad were in for another year of disappointment, as the event was cancelled the second time in a row.

Urs is usually held at a dargah (shrine) and commemorates the saint’s death anniversary. It enables all the devotees to come together at the same time and mark their attendance at the shrine.

Hundreds of thousands of people used to flock to the shrine of Bari Imam every year for the five-day Urs in the third week of May, to pay their tributes to the great Sufi saint for his contribution to Islam and the society.

The 350-year-old tradition could not be held last year due to security concerns and was cancelled again this year. Bari Imam’s manager, Sardar Muhammad, said it had been cancelled due to security concerns and the renovation of the shrine. “We had to cancel the Urs celebrations last year due to the security situation and the [Bari Imam] committee decided that it would be unsafe to carry on with the celebrations this years as well,” Muhammad told The Express Tribune.

An official of the Islamabad Capital Territory said a number of security arrangements needed to be done for such an event, which they were unable to organise. The administration was required to arrange tents for people coming from far-off places and provide them with adequate transport. A heavy contingent of police force needed to be deployed and equipped with scanners. “We would also need to launch a search operation in the city and vet guest houses and hotels for unwanted elements to ensure adequate security,” he added.

“We are very disappointed at the cancellation of the celebrations,” said Irfan Khan, a resident of Islamabad and a devotee of Bari Imam. “Citing security reasons is unacceptable. The authorities organised Mera Sharif Urs last month in Murree. Why could they not have done the same for Bari Imam’s Urs,” he added.

“I know that people are disappointed but the management is helpless as it is a big risk accommodating so many people,” Sardar Muhammad said.

Farid Zaman, another resident of Islamabad, was satisfied with the ban. “Peoples lives are more important. It is regrettable but the authorities made the right choice given the security situation,” he said.

Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi, or Bari Imam, was born in 1617AD (1026 Hijra) in village Choli Karsal at District Chakwal. He received his spiritual knowledge and title from Hayat alMir (Zinda Pir) and is credited with converting a number of Hindus to Islam. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir is also believed to have visited the saint to pay his respects.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2010.