HYDERABAD, Feb 20: The 264th Urs of great Sufi Saint and poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai will begin on Friday (Feb 22) in Bhitshah, Matiari district.

The Sindh Culture and Tourism Department in collaboration with the Sindh Auqaf Department and District Administration Matiari had made arrangements to celebrate three-day celebrations in traditional way.

Tens of thousand of devotees from different parts of the country and many from overseas pay homage to Sufi Saint annually whose poetry played a key role in spreading mysticism in Sindh.

In addition to programmes by the Sindh government and District Administration Matiari, the devotees of shrine organise their own programmes, including raga, based on his poetry.

Shah Latif preached love, affection and peace irrespective of caste or creed through his poetry which is greatly admired the world over.

Besides, national academics like Dr Nabi Bux Khan Baloch and Dr G.A. Allana, world scholars too researched his poetry and spread his message across the world.

Secretary, Culture and Tourism, Shams Jafrani said officers of the Irrigation Department had released the water in historic Karar Lake.

Shams Jafrani said this year the Literary Conference will be organised in Bhitshah with renowned historian, scholar and educationist Dr Nabi Bux Baloch to preside over inaugural session.

Afaaq Siddiqui will be the chief guest while eminent educationist and writer Dr Ghulam Ali Allana would preside over the second session of the conference and Mazhar Jamil would be the chief guest of the proceeding session.

Sindh Culture Department also published three books based on the poetry of Shah Latif and launching ceremony of these books would be held during Urs celebrations.

He said the first book, comprising translation of his poetry in English and Urdu languages, written by Agha Slaeem would be launched.

Second book comprising research papers on ‘Sur Kedaro’ of Shah Latif which was read in the previously held Literary Conferences would also be presented for launching.

Third book on Sindhi society and culture written by Ghulam Ali Allana would also be launched during Urs celebrations, he added.—APP