LAHORE The three-day celebrations of 972nd annual Urs of Hazrat Ali bin Usman Hajveri known as Data Ganj Bakhsh began on Tuesday led by Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar while Provincial Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs, Mian Ata Muhammad Manika and other officials and elite were also present. The finance minister inaugurated the three-day festivities by laying floral wreath and inaugurating the milk Sabeel at the shrine of the 10th century saint, who was among the pioneers of preaching and spreading Islam in the sub-continent, particularly in Punjab. As per traditions, the milk seller community brought thousands of litres of milk as a donation for the milk Sabeel which was distributed among the devotees and visitors. Millions of devotees and visitors from all parts of the country came to witness the Urs and offered special prayers. Groups of devotees and volunteers led by spiritual leaders kept arriving at the well-illuminated shrine marching on the drum beats and reciting Na’ats and hymns during the past two days. Bringing their bed and baggage for the next three days, they thronged the shrine’s courtyard and verandahs laying mats and sheets. Large number of philanthropists provided them free food (Langar) as a part of worship. The district administration has taken all necessary measures to maintain peace and security during the Urs. After laying the wreath, special prayers were offered for solidarity and security of the country and success of Zarb-e-Azb military operation against terrorists. Talking to journalists, Provincial Minister Mian Ata Maneka said that the teachings of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh are a beacon of light for the Muslims. He said the best arrangements had been made for the devotees on Urs and foolproof security arrangements made for protection of life and properties of devotees. He said that special care had been taken for providing food to devotees and meal was also being distributed by the government. Manika said that special arrangements had been made to check the incidents of pick-pocketing; bomb disposal squads would also be present all the time for coping with any emergency. He said special traffic plan had been made for smooth flow of traffic on this occasion. During the Urs ceremonies, various seminars of preachers, spiritual gatherings, Qira'at and Na’at competitions, debate contests, seminars on Tasawwuf and spiritualism, lectures of religious scholars etc will be held. Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, MNA Pervaiz Malik, Secretary Auqaf and Religious Affairs Nayyer Iqbal, Director General Auqaf and Religious Affairs Dr Tahir Raza Bukhari and other guests attended the ceremony. Besides a large number of ulema, mashaikh, spiritual leaders and Gadi Nasheens from all over the country will participate in the preaching congregations and meetings. These gatherings will be presided over by noted personalities like Syed Ahmad Ashraf Shah, Ghulam Qutubuddin, Nazeer Ali Shah and Baqar Ali Shah. Later, Mian Ata Maneka and Ishaq Dar inaugurated language/computer lab. Ishaq Dar announced a grant of Rs7 million for the language and computer lab at Jamia Hajveria, Data Darbar. In a briefing, the minister was told that there was a beautiful combination of old and contemporary education in Jamia Hajveria. The training of spoken English, Arabic and computer software will be provided in the lab. Courses of computer applications and office professional, computer hardware and network professional and mobile repair will also be conducted. The minister said that sufficient arrangements had been made with the collaboration of district administration for boarding and lodging of devotees. He said that Rs8 million had been allocated for Urs ceremonies and other arrangements besides making foolproof security arrangements and in this regard, 100 close circuit cameras have been installed. He said 1,700 police officials had been deputed besides 12 walk-through gates and metal detectors had been provided for security of devotees. He said that lady police constables had also been deputed in the women portion at the shrine besides volunteers of different organisations would also perform duty on the occasion. The minister said that 74 security guards had also been provided by a private security agency.
