September 16, 2008	Tuesday	Ramazan 15, 1429

KHAIRPUR, Sept 15: The 187th three-day Urs celebrations of Sufi saint and poet Sachal Sarmast began in Daraza, Gambat taluka, on Sunday night while Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah inaugurated it on Monday by laying a wreath on the shrine. He also attended Mehfil-e-Sama.

He said that the mystic philosophy should be spread because Sachal Sain’s philosophy carried the message of love and peace which was the most sought after in present circumstances.

He announced a grant of rupees one million for renovation and repair of shrine. He said that there was a need of Sachal Museum in Daraza Sharif where informative material should be displayed. He said that the Sindh government would help in printing the unpublished poetry of Sachal Sain.

Sakhi Qabool Mohammad said that there was an urgent need to spread Sachal’s philosophy for eliminating unrest and discord prevailing in the society.

He said there were no facilities for devotees as no development work had been carried out at the shrine. He expressed dissatisfaction over arrangements made by concerned departments and organizations for Urs celebrations.

The Chief Minister also gave away Sachal Awards. Best singer award went to Ghulam Ali Sandelo, best Sufi singer award to Shaman Faqeer, best worker award to Amar Iqbal, best Sughar award to Imam Dino Mehrani, and special award to Culture and Tourism Department which was received by Secretary Culture Shams Jafrani. Mohammad Punhal Dahar was given award for best research paper, and late Hadi Bux Larik, late Umeed Khairpuri and late Dr Tanveer Abbasi life achievement awards for their services in literature and social work.

Life achievement award was also given to CM Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah for being founder member of Sachal Yadgar Committee.

Singers and Faqirs of Sachal Sain like Sher Shah, Faqeer Nazeer Tunio, Mashooq Faqeer, Bhural Faqeer Bhatti, Liaquat Faqeer Bhatti, Ghulam Hussain, Motan Shah, Ayaz Faqeer and his group, sang Sufi poetry of Sachal Sarmast in the front yard of the shrine fascinating all those present.

The Safron-clad devotees changed the lock of the shrine while devotees kept greeting each other with words of “Haq Maujood” and “Ishqabad Mubarak”.

Hotels, sweet meat marts and bookshops in Daraza wore festive look.

Each year devotees from different parts of Sindh pay visit at the shrine of Sachal Sarmast.

Sufi singers/Faqirs from the shrines of Sufi saint-poets, including Bedil Bekas, Budhal Sain, Data Wilayat Shah, and Anwar Shah also reached Daraza for Urs celebrations.

A musical conference will be held in late hours of Monday night at Daraza. However, there will also be a separate musical program at the guest house of Sakhi Qabool Mohammad, the Sajjada Nasheen of Sachal Sarmast, on same night.