Rouza Sharif Urs in Punjab town begins on March 17

FATEHGARH SAHIB: At least 10,000 devotees following different religions across the country and from Pakistan and other countries  will participate in the annual three-day Rouza Sharif Urs  beginning March 17 to March 19 at the tomb of Sufi saint Sheikh Ahmad Farooqui in Sirhind, considered one of the holiest places in Islam, second after Makka. 

It may be mentioned here that the Alf Saani Rouza Sharif is situated on the Fatehgarh Sahib-Bassi Pathana road and the shire, built in 1929, is in the vicinity of the Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib.   According to information received, Sheikh Ahmad was the most eminent of Khwaja Baqi  Billah’s disciples. Around 1599, he had left Sirhind on a pilgrimage and reached Delhi where he was welcomed by Khwaja Billah.

Due to strained relations of India and Pakistan  pilgrims from Pakistan did not participate in the Urs some years back but from last many years pilgrims from Pakistan and other countries are participating in the Urs. 

As per district Fatehgarh Sahib administration officials around 250 pilgrims from Pakistan would pay obeisance during the annual Urs this year. Muslims from Gujarat, Mumbai, Surat and other parts of the country has also come to attend the urs. 

Observed every year in ‘Safer’ month of Muslim calendar, the Urs provided an opportunity not only to Muslims but also Hindus and Sikhs to pay obeisance to the saint as also enjoy the fair organized on the occasion  and purchase handicraft goods.  

The district administration has made elaborate arrangement for the holding of the Urs in front of Baba Moti Ram Memorial Trust building near Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib.

Fatehgarh Sahib Additional Deputy Commissioner, who  has recently presided over meeting to review the urs arrangements said that elaborate arrangements have been made and pilgrims will be taken to village  Bras , Dera Mir Mera  . He  informed that all concerned officials have been directed by the district administration to ensure adequate bus service and parking space, proper drinking water and health facilities and uninterrupted power supply to area likely to be visited by the devotees.  He said the health authorities have asked to proper arrangement of medicines so that devotees would not face any problem.

According to police officials, the police have made special arrangements for security of pilgrims and to ward off any untoward incident. They said that all the devotees would be provided adequate security. 

Roza Sharif’s Khalifa Sayyad Sadik Raja Mujeddedi said special arrangements have been made for board and lodging of pilgrims, including a community kitchen.