185th Urs of Sachal Sarmast begins

The News International - Pakistan
Sunday, October 8, 2006

KHAIRPUR: The celebrations of the 185th Urs of great mystic and poet Sachal Sarmast kicked off in Daraza Sharif here on Sunday. Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism Rauf Siddiqui and Manzoor Panhwar, who inaugurated the Urs celebrations, laid a wreath on the tomb of the Sufi poet.

Panhwar said Sufis spread the message of love and humanity without any discrimination and followed the teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He said the protection of shrines was top priority of the Sindh government, and stressed the need for research into the lives of Sufis. On behalf of the Sindh chief minister, Panhwar announced a grant of two million rupees for the renovation of the Dargah of Sachal Sarmast.

In his speech, Rauf Siddiqui said the message of Sachal Sarmast is beyond any religious distinction, and added that the saint spread the message of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He said there is need for the publication of the poetry of the Sufi in all languages, especially in Urdu and Punjabi. He remarked that people of Sindh have limited the poetry of Sachal, which is unfortunate. He emphasised research into the poetry of the saint. Siddiqui directed the chairman of the Sachal Chair of the Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, to compile the poetry of Sachal Sarmast. He announced his department would publish the poetry in a book shape, whose royalty should be provided to the Sachal Yaadgar Committee.

He formed an inquiry committee to probe the alleged embezzlement of the one-million-rupee aid given by Sindh governor for the shrine. He said there is need for the promotion of the poetry of Shah Latif and Sachal Sarmast.