HYDERABAD: The three-day celebrations of great Sufi Saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s urs at his shrine in Bhitshah drew to an end on Thursday with Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah laying a chaddar and floral wreath on his grave.

Speaking to the devotees and other visitors to the shrine, Mr Shah paid homage to the saint and said that Shah Bhitai always used to pray for the wellbeing of humankind around the world. “Like him, we also pray here at his shrine for God’s blessing on Sindh, Pakistan and the entire world,” he said.

The CM said that as long as prayers of Shah Bhitai and Lal Shahbaz Qalandar remained with Sindh, it would remain unharmed.

“Sindh is the land of saints and Sufis,” he said.

Latif Award ceremony

Later, while giving away ‘Latif Award’ to best performers in various fields at a ceremony, CM Shah said it was a matter of pride for him to attend the concluding ceremony of the urs.

He said Shah Bhitai preached love, brotherhood and peace for world. “Violation of rights is being committed in Palestine and Kashmir; I urge the United Nations to understand the message of peace emanating from Sindh,” he remarked.

The best ragi award was given away to Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah Latifi, best suhgar award to Gul Hassan Gul, best researcher award to Dr Nawaz Ali Shoq, best instrument player award to Jai Ram Jogi, best dholak nawaz award to Mohammad Ramzan and best singer award to Faqir Manjhi.

Matiari Deputy Com-missioner Mohammad Yusuf Sheikh and SSP Syed Asghar Shah were also given the award for best urs arrangements.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2024