Qalandar’s urs starts

Thousands of devotees of all faiths converge on Sehwa

HYDERABAD:

The 770th annual urs of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, the revered Sufi Saint of Sindh, began on Tuesday at Sehwan with the participation of thousands of devotees from all provinces of Pakistan. The urs will continue for three days with colourful ceremonies including literary conferences, traditional wrestling called malakhra, poetry recitals and sufi music.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the message of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is brotherhood, tolerance and love in the society. In his message on the 770th Urs anniversary of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, he said that the teachings of Lal Shahbaz promote cooperation in the society and provide an atmosphere of unity in diversity among different schools of thought. He said that today the growing trend of discrimination, extremism and terrorism is a challenge to humanity. In such a situation, the world needs to turn to the teachings of Sufi Saints like Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.

He said that PPP is active for real democracy and equality which is the basis of teachings of Saints like Lal Shahbaz. Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister for Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr, Fayaz Ali Butt inaugurated the Urs by laying a floral wreath and "Chadar" on the grave of the Sufi saint at the shrine at Sewhan Sharif.

Secretary Religious Affairs, Auqaf, and Ushr Zakat Javed Sibghatullah Mehr, Chairman Mela Committee and Chief Administrator Auqaf Zahid Ali Sher, SSP Jamshoro Javed Baloch, and others also accompanied him on the occasion.

While talking to media at the premises of the mausoleum, the provincial advisor said that he was lucky to be inaugurating Urs Mubarak after two years which is an honour for him. Later on, Deputy Commissioner Farid-ud-Din Mustafa presented a souvenir and a special publication to the Provincial Advisor. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Fariduddin Mustafa and SSP Javed Baloch reviewed the arrangements made for the occasion.

They also visited camps set up for the facilitation of the devotees and asked the officers concerned to provide all possible facilities to visitors. The DC also inspected the cold water supplying "Sabeel" set up at various places in the city and directed the staff stationed to ensure the availability of drinking water round the clock.