3-day annual Urs begins at Rauza Sharif

Fatehgarh Sahib, September 1

The three-day annual ‘Urs’ commemorated in the memory of the Sufi saint, Sheikh Ahmad Farooqui Sirhindi, began here today with the religious ceremonies at Rauza Sharif Fatehgarh Sahib. An 83-member Jatha of pilgrims from Pakistan led by Dr Mohammad Azim Farooqui, along with thousands of Naqshbandi Muslims from India and abroad, have come to pay obeisance.

The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims and over 200 police personnel and officers from other districts have been deputed for security.

Sajjda Nasheen Khalifa Sayyad Mohammad Sadiq Raza Mujaddid said ‘Urs’ started with religious ceremonies. He said a ‘Jatha’ of devotees from Pakistan, devotees from Bangladesh and other countries have arrived in the district. He said during the three-day ‘Urs’ on the first day, the devotees visit the Dargah and offer Namaz, adding that Tilawat Ki Quran would be read the next day. He said there was a belief that whoever visits the Rauza Sharif Fatehgarh Sahib gets special blessings. He said the Dargah Committee had made arrangements for a comfortable stay and langar for the pilgrims.

Deputy Commissioner Parneet Shergill said the district administration has made arrangements such as toilets, drinking water, power supplies, and medical facilities, among others, for the pilgrims.

The SSP, Dr Ravjot Kaur Grewal, said security arrangements have been made by the police for the safety of the devotees. She said apart from the district police, over 200 police personnel and officers from other districts have been deputed for the security at the Rauza Sharif complex.

MLA Lakhbir Singh Rai, Former MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra, SAD (B) President Jagdeep Singh Cheema, and SGPC members welcomed the pilgrims and assured them of a comfortable stay. The pilgrims appreciated the hospitality extended to them by the administration and the MLA.

Leader urges Centre to ease visa process

The leaders of the 83-member group of Pakistani pilgrims, Dr Mohammad Azim Farooqui, spoke to The Tribune at Rauza Sharif today. He said there was a need for cordial relations between India and Pakistan, adding that trade between the two countries needs to be resumed.

He said both countries need to reduce the defence budget and start using the extra funds for development. He said there was barely any difference in culture, language, living, traditions and social values among the people of both countries. He said the visa process should be easy so that people on either side of the border may visit their respective religious places.