May 28, 2007	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 11, 1428

ISLAMABAD, May 27: Over 150,000 people visited Bari Imam shrine on the first day of the annual Urs of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi that commenced at Noorpur Shahan amid highest ever security on Sunday.

The five-day Urs began with the beats of drums and Dhamals (dances) to pay tributes to the famous saint of Potohar region who was born in 1617 AD (1026 Hijra).

A ceremony of Chadarposhi was held in the shrine in which Speaker National Assembly Chaudhry Amir Hussain was the chief guest.

Some 500 Dalian (rallies) comprising at least 50 to 100 people each reached the shrine from various parts of the country. A large number of devotees living nearby areas travelled to the shrine on foot to follow the saint who was famous for travelling long distances on foot.

The devotees are still coming in groups, carrying the replica of the shrine, singing devotional songs and dancing to the rhythmic beats of drums.

Not only men but women, children and aged people were seen everywhere on the premises of the shrine.

Some of them were collecting cooked rice and bread from the Langar, others were offering prayers and enjoying Dhamal and beats of drum.

The Urs of Hazrat Bari Imam has become one of the major events of the capital as thousands of devotees from all over the country take part in it every year.

A number of free medical camps have been set up on the premises of the shrine to provide first-aid treatment if required.

Capital Development Authority (CDA) has provided drinking water facility to the devotees.

Hundreds of tents and sheds have been installed in the open fields in and outside the shrine for providing accommodation to the devotees who have come here from different parts of the country.

Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has made special security arrangements for the safety of the visitors.

About 40 close-circuit cameras and 30 walk-through gates have been installed at the entrance and other points of the shrine to check entry of any terrorists.

The local administration is providing 500 Daigs of rice every day to the management of the shrine to give food to the devotees and visitors.

APP ADDS: Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Amir Hussain urged people to spread the real message of Islam based on peace and harmony.

He said there was no concept of extremism and sectarianism in Islam. Some elements, he added, were trying to fulfil their nefarious designs by promoting extremism in the name of Islam.