Ghareeb Nawaz's 805th Urs & Indo-Pak Sub-Continent

A Beautiful View of Ajmer Dargah During 805th Urs

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

The 805^th Urs of Sultan-E-Hind Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz concluded in Ajmer on April 4, 2017 after spreading great Sufi master’s core messages i.e. love for all, hatred for none, peaceful co-existence, social equity and spiritual synergy for six consecutive days. Apart from Ajmer where Khwaja had met his Lord after praying in seclusion for six days, his Urs was also observed with solemnity in various cities across Indian sub-continent. Lakhs of devotees however gathered at his last resting place in Ajmer from different parts of the world top attend the Urs tradition that dates back to 1236 AD. Urs of Khwaja whose original name was Moinuddin Chishti has been strengthening the real face of Islam that has been tarnished greatly by outfits involved in terrorism and suicide bombings on innocent people. 

Sufis like Khwaja promoted the tenets of Islam among people through their mystical ways that relied heavily upon composite culture. As Urs ceremonies  like Ajmer and other Sufi shrines are attended by people from all walks of life and different faiths, they exemplify as to how followers of different religions have coexisted for centuries and embraced each other’s values to form a composite society in Indian sub-continent. The Urs of Sufis also propel people to follow “Taqwa”(Piety and Self-Purification) and remember the day of judgment(Aakhirat).These two objectives are considered essential while visiting any shrine in Islam. Sufi masters describe ‘Taqwa’ and ‘Aakhirat’ a more deep notion and reject that they are confined to prayers, rituals and invocations. They always advocated that prayers without love for all, compassion and charity without distinction won’t be accepted by the Lord and any amount of prayers won’t save a stone-hearted person from hell-fire on the Day of Judgment.

Since these principles frustrate the nefarious designs of terrorist outfits unleashing reign of terror in the name of purifying Islam, such forces attack holy shrines at regular intervals and exhort people not to visit shrines of holy Imams and Sufis in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and India. They resort to suicide bombings and other terror activities to discourage people from visiting shrines that have been offering peace and solace to bruised humanity for centuries. Sufism primarily rests on the teachings of Maula Ali and majority of these spiritual masters trace their lineage to progeny of Holy Prophet. Being aware of  fundamentalists’  perception towards Sufism as a potential threat to ideology of Ahle- Hadiths and Salafis , Indian  politicians attached great importance to 805^th Urs of Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti offered Chadars at the shrine through their representatives. Host of other dignitaries also visited Ajmer during Urs that was observed amidst tightest ever security arrangements. How ironical? Shrines known for healing the wounded humanity are targets of those spilling blood of innocents. There is need to reverse the situation by recalling the ‘Martyr of Humanity’ Imam Hussain and his devotees like Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz. The government of India seems to be proactive in this context but similar views can’t be expressed with regard to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. 

Mehbooba Mufti with Chadar for 805th Urs 

Pakistan has failed to control persecution of Imamis and followers of Sufism. Orthodox terrorist has brought on the verge of extinction Imamis and followers of Sufi orders in Gilgit-Baltistan. Sindh recently witnessed attack on the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. Situation is somewhat similar in other cities of Pakistan too. Afghanistan too has been treading on the same path for the past several years. The government efforts have failed to evoke desired response so far. In Bangladesh, hardliners have slowly but surely penetrated into the interiors of the nation. The present regime is striving to contain them without much success. The situation in the three does not indicate positive signs. It would have been more appropriate, had the three nations sent their official delegations for 805^th Urs of Khwaja. These countries need to follow the initiative taken by successive Indian governments that have been trying to protect and preserve Imami and Sufi culture with all sincerity. (References available on request. Photo Courtesy Google Images).