Muslim man continues to serve Gurdwara Dera Sahib
Pilgrims praise Azhar Abbas for his compassion and dedication
LAHORE:
At a time when religious intolerance is at its peak in India, one man continues to serve Sikh and Hindu pilgrims in Pakistan.
For Syed Azhar Abbas, who has served Gurdwara Dera Sahib, one of the holiest sites in Sikhism, for over two decades, there is no stopping.
The 45-year-old who hails from Multan has been working for the Evacuee Trust Property Board since 1992 and was formally appointed as an employee at Gurdwara Dawa Dera Sahib seven years later. He has not looked back since then.
As part of his job, Abbas receives Sikh and Hindu pilgrims at the Wagah border, the only legal crossing between India and Pakistan. “I need to make sure all pilgrims have a place to stay while they are in Pakistan,” said Abbas.
Abbas has prepared the documentation for each of these deceased pilgrims, with absolute dedication. “I’m responsible for preparing the paperwork after a pilgrim passes away in Pakistan,” he said. He also prepares their remains for the final journey back home. “I make sure the body is bathed and dressed in clean clothing before being repatriated,” said Abbas.
His dedication and compassion have earned him praise at home and abroad. One pilgrim who was visiting the UK said: “I’ve never seen someone so committed and dedicated to interfaith harmony.”
Another said, Abbas, was a rare example of how people from different communities and backgrounds can stand by each other without hating each other.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2020.
At a time when religious intolerance is at its peak in India, one man continues to serve Sikh and Hindu pilgrims in Pakistan.
For Syed Azhar Abbas, who has served Gurdwara Dera Sahib, one of the holiest sites in Sikhism, for over two decades, there is no stopping.
The 45-year-old who hails from Multan has been working for the Evacuee Trust Property Board since 1992 and was formally appointed as an employee at Gurdwara Dawa Dera Sahib seven years later. He has not looked back since then.
As part of his job, Abbas receives Sikh and Hindu pilgrims at the Wagah border, the only legal crossing between India and Pakistan. “I need to make sure all pilgrims have a place to stay while they are in Pakistan,” said Abbas.
Abbas has prepared the documentation for each of these deceased pilgrims, with absolute dedication. “I’m responsible for preparing the paperwork after a pilgrim passes away in Pakistan,” he said. He also prepares their remains for the final journey back home. “I make sure the body is bathed and dressed in clean clothing before being repatriated,” said Abbas.
His dedication and compassion have earned him praise at home and abroad. One pilgrim who was visiting the UK said: “I’ve never seen someone so committed and dedicated to interfaith harmony.”
Another said, Abbas, was a rare example of how people from different communities and backgrounds can stand by each other without hating each other.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2020.