Thousands of devotees attend Data Sahib Urs

LAHORE

Three-day celebrations of the 973rd annual Urs of Hazrat Ali bin Usman Hajveri known as Data Ganj Bakhsh began on Saturday, 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 3-day festivities by laying a floral wreath and inaugurating milk Sabeel at the shrine of the 10th century saint who was among the pioneers of preaching and spreading Islam in the subcontinent, particularly in Punjab.

As per traditions, the milk sellers community brought thousands of litres of milk as donation to the Sabeel which was distributed among the devotees and visitors. Thousands of devotees and visitors from all parts of the country came to witness the Urs and offered special prayers. Groups of devotees and pilgrims, many of them led by their respective spiritual leaders and local Gaddi Nasheens kept arriving the well illuminated shrine marching on the drum beats and reciting naats and hymns during the past two days. Bringing their bed and baggage for the next three days, the groups of these sufis and their disciples thronged the shrine’s courtyard and varandahs laying mats and sheets to make their temporary lodging. A large number of philanthropists provided them free food (Langar) as 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 the solidarity and security of the country and success of the military operation against terrorists. Talking to the journalists, Ishaq Dar said Islam in the subcontinent spread through sufis and saints, and the real objective of the country’s creation could only be achieved by following their teachings. He urged the countrymen to follow in the footsteps of the great sufi saint Data Ganj Bakhsh in order to materialise the dream of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam.  He expressed hopes that the day was not far when Pakistan would achieve the goals for which it was created and would shine prominently among the comity of the world countries. Provincial Minister Mian Ata Maneka said that the teachings of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh are a beacon light for  Muslims. He said the best arrangements had been made for the devotees and foolproof security arrangements made for the protection of life and properties of devotees. He said that special care had been taken for providing food to devotees and Langer was also being distributed by the government.

Mian Ata Muhammad Manika said necessary measures had been taken to check the incidents of pick-pocketing. He said bomb disposal squads would also be present all the time for coping with any emergency situation. He said a special traffic plan had also been made for smooth flow of traffic. The Lahore Parking Company has announced free round parking for the devotees and visitors at four places near the shrine. The places are, Central Model School, TB Hospital, Minar-e-Pakistan and Mohni Road.

During the Urs ceremonies, various seminars of preachers, spiritual gatherings, Qirat and Naat competitions, debate contests, seminars on Tasawwuf and spiritualism, lectures of religious scholars etc will be held. Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, Member National Assembly 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 in large numbers.

Besides a large number of Ulema, Mashaikhs, spiritual leaders and Gaddi 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, Baqar Ali Shah while prominent among the participants were Abul Khair, Samsam Ali Shah, Abdul Shakoor Hazarvi, Sufi Ashraf Masoomi, Siddiq Hazarvi, Mufti Khan Mohammad Qadri, Ashraf Asif Jalali, Prof Zafarul Haq, Abdul Tawwab Siddiqi, Fida Hussain Shah, Hafeezullah Mehrvi, Mehmood Ahmad Qadri and others.

Ata Muhammad Manika said sufficient arrangements had been made with the collaboration of district administration for boarding and lodging devotees. The minister said that Rs8million had been allocated for Urs ceremonies and other arrangements besides making foolproof security arrangements and 100 close-circuit cameras were also installed. He said 1,700 police officials had been deputed besides setting up 12 walk-through gates and metal detectors. He said that lady police constables had also been deputed in the ladies portion of the Mazar besides volunteers of different organisations would also perform duties. The minister said that 74 security guards had also been provided by a private security agency.