Pakistan Times | National: Urs of Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] begins on May-22 (original) (raw)

Urs of Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] begins on May-22
Pakistan Times National News Desk

ISLAMABAD: The centuries-old ceremonies of the Urs of great spiritualist and saint Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] will begin at Noorpur, close to the capital city of Islamabad on Sunday, May-22.

The ceremonies, which shall be attended by the followers of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif, popularly known as Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] from all-over Pakistan and even from abroad, will continue till Thursday, May-26

Islamabad District Administration and Auqaf Directorate has started task to make all the necessary arrangements for the sanctified event.

The people, who want to offer their services, are advised to submit their applications, other particulars, copy of N.I.C to Auqaf Department Office, F-8 Markaz or at Manager of Arrangements, located at the premises of the shrine of Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] at his office Nurpur Shahan till April-23.

For more details, people can contact 051-9261508.

Perspective

Sweat mingles with tears on sun-darkened faces of pilgrims who walk miles, most of them barefoot and clad in rags, destined towards the shrine Hazrat Bari Sarkar [RA] in the hills, around Islamabad every year.

These are Pakistan�s colourful saint-worshippers, adherents of the Sufi branch of Islam. Over 500,000 pilgrims arrive to pay homage at the silver-mirrored mausoleum of 17th century Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi [RA], best known as Hazrat Bari Imam [RA].

People have been coming to the shrine of the great saint for centuries.

The annual pilgrimage to Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] is undertaken over five days surrounding the anniversary of the saint�s death each May. Each night at the shrine, a large number of pilgrims twirled to rapidly beating drums. Others carried miniature golden mausoleums garlanded with yellow and green streamers and triangular flags bearing verses from the Holy Quran.

The devotees came to make or fulfil �mannats� [pledges] that they would regularly visit the shrine, feed the poor or perform another act if their prayers are answered.

�My son wanted to go to Kuwait and he just came back. I promised I�d come to the shrine of Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] and donate rice to the poor when he came back,� said Budronisa Yacoub from Lahore as she prepared to return home after praying at the shrine last year.

�If I hadn�t come, I would have been anxious. I would have worried because I made a promise to Allah,� she said, wiping away a tear. �I feel relaxed now.�

Some tried to create a tangible contract. They tied strips of cloth to an oldtree under which the saint was said to have meditated. The faithful believe their prayers have a better chance of being heard by Almighty Allah.

�When you want to meet with a big official, you have to meet with smaller officials first,� said Munir Ahmed of Bahawalpur. �When you go to a saint, Allah likes it and looks on it well.�

As is indexed in the history, Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] was one of the great preachers of Central Asian and Arab who for centuries travelled through South Asia spreading Islam.

During the 17th century, thieves and outcasts occupied Noorpur Shahan village at the edge of Islamabad. While travelling though the area, the great saint, who had migrated to the densely thick underwood isolated terrain, now known as Islamabad from his origin, a village in Chakwal area, was stunned by the habits of those living among the natural beauty of the Margalla Hills.

He decided to stay and teach the people about Islam. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who was devoted to spreading his empire, originally built the silver-mirrored shrine of Hazrat Bari Imam [RA].

It has been renovated and is now is maintained by the government. Inside the mausoleum, where the great saint rests, only men are permitted, a steady stream of worshippers enter and exit, most bending to kiss and strew rose petals on the green cloth covering the grave of Hazrat Bari Sarkar [RA].

Reciting verses from the Holy Quran, women view the grave through a glass window, which many touch and kiss while praying for the blessings of Almighty Allah.

The faithful read from one of the hundreds of the copies of the Holy Quran, the moment when one leaves after recitation. Some simply sit in silence as mark of respect for the great saint, taking a moment to say a final prayer and to collect the inspiration and strength to make the journey back home.●