PESHAWAR: The three-day annual urs of popular Sufi poet Rahman Baba began at his shrine in Hazarkhwani area here on Friday.

The senior members of Rahman Baba Adabi Jirga and fans of the poet formally launched the celebrations by laying floral wreath on his grave.

Yousaf Ali Dilsoz, the jirga’s patron-in-chief, told Dawn that a Pashto mushaira

and a seminar being part of the celebrations would be held in the Iranian Culture Centre today (Saturday) and on Sunday, respectively.

A participant of the urs complained that though the poet’s mausoleum was rebuilt in September 2012, its lights were broken and some portions of the building were in disrepair.

When contacted, Zahirullah Khan, director of archives and libraries, told Dawn that the department had already released Rs3 million for necessary repair and renovation work of Rahman Baba’s shrine. He said that the renovation work would be started in the last week of the current month.

The participants also performed Khatmul Quran at the shrine, while lungar (free meal) was also distributed among the visitors.

A large number of fans and devotees, including women, from far off areas thronged the shrine and paid their respects.

The Baba’s devotees also performed zikr, recited his popular poems and offered a collective prayer for restoration of peace and stability in the country.

Later in the evening, local Qawali singers sang the Sufi poet’s ghazals on the tunes of Rabab and Mangay (pitcher). Devotees also performed dance to the folk tunes.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2015

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