KARACHI: A delegation of Pakistani pilgrims on Monday visited the shrine of Nizamuddin Aulia in New Delhi and laid a traditional chador at the grave.

According to a press release issued by the information ministry, the pilgrims were accompanied by Charge d’ Affaires Aftab Hasan Khan and other officials from the Pakistan High Commission in India.

The group of 60 pilgrims led by Joint Secretary Amjad Ali from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony is visiting Delhi from November 18 to 25 to participate in the 718th annual Urs of Nizamuddin Aulia.

Diplomats from High Commission accompany the visitors

At the shrine, the delegation was welcomed by Sajjadah Nasheen Dewan Syed Tahir Nizami and other notable members of the Dargah Committee.

The Sajjadah Nasheen led prayers at the shrine and performed dastaarbandi (traditional turban) of some members of the delegation. The pilgrims also visited the Dargah of Hazrat Amir Khusro, which is located in the same compound, and offered dua.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia was the third spiritual successor of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. He is famous for his love for humanity as a means of realising love with the Creator. His followers are all across South Asia, including Pakistan. The Urs of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia, a 14th century Sufi saint of the Chishtia Order, is held annually with traditional zeal and fervour. His Urs is attended by devotees from several countries. Pakistani pilgrims attend the annual Urs Mubarak under the framework of the 1974 India-Pakistan Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2021