SUKKUR: At the 142nd annual urs celebrations of Fakir Qadir Bux Bedil Bekus in Rohri, Federal Minister for Labour Khursheed Ahmed Shah announced a grant of Rs20 million to build an auditorium and a library in memory of the saint.
The three-day urs celebrations at Bedil Bekus shrine in Rohri started on Saturday morning as thousands of devotees across the country arrived.
The federal minister, who is among the followers of Sufi teachings, inaugurated the ceremony by saying laying flowers at the saint’s grave.
Shah then attended the Mehfil-e-Samaa along with MPA Dr Nasrullah Baloch, special adviser to Sindh chief minister Pehlaj Rai and DCO Sukkur Inamullah Dharejo.
Speaking to fellow devotees, Shah said that terrorism and extremism can be countered if everyone adheres to the teachings of Sufism. Sindh is the abode of Sufis as famous saints, such as Shah Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast and Bedil Bekus, chose to live here.
They promoted love and harmony through their poetry and Sufi songs, urging people to shun all differences and follow the path of Sufis, Shah said, adding that this tactic surely ended all hatred among different factions of the society.
Apart from the grant for Bedil Bekus auditorium and library, Shah also announced that the annual budget of the shrine will be increased from Rs350,000 to Rs800,000. The Evacuee Trust Property department has taken the responsibility of repairs and renovations of the shrines throughout the country in order to attract more people, he added.
The Mehfil-e-Samaa is held on the first day of the urs. On the second day, Mehfil-e-Mushaira is held, which is attended by poets from the entire country, including caretakers of other shrines. On the third and concluding day, Adabi Conference is held during the day followed by a mehfil of Sufi Raag at night.
The arrangements for langar (free food) for the devotees are carried out by the well-off residents of Rohri and Sukkur. Langar is available during all three days.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 24th, 2010.
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