Lahore: 3-day celebrations of 972nd annual Urs of Al-Sheikh Ali Bin Usman Al-Hajveri known as Hazrat Data Gunj Bakhsh started today. Federal Finance Minister & Chairman Religious Affairs Data Darbar Ishaq Dar laid wreath on the mazar.
Provincial Ministers Mian Atta Muhammad Maneka, Bilal Yasin, Secretary Auqaf & Religious Affairs Muhammad Hasan Rizvi and a large number of devotees were present on the occasion.
The Urs celebrations formally started with recitation of Holy Quran and the Naat.
Special security arrangements have been made for the devotees and 115 security cameras, six LCD and 1700 police officials have been deputed on main gates of Darbar. Twelve walkthrough gates and metal detectors have been installed at the entry points. Doctors and staff of Mayo Hospital, Munshi Hospital and Data Darbar with medicines were present for providing first aid to the devotees. Milk was served to the devotees.
A 3-day national Mehfil-e-Husn-e-Qirat and Mehfil-e-Naat will be held. Besides religious and spiritual gatherings at mosque of Darbar, a 2-day Mehfil-e-Sama will also be held. Renowned Ulema, Mashaikh, Qura, Naatkhawan and Qawals are participating in these celebrations throughout the country. Prayers for the security, stability and prosperity of the country were offered.