Cricket and the Ajmer Sharif Shrine Bolster India Pakistan Relations
When Pakistan’s leaders visit India to try to bolster fragile relations between the two countries, both sides can always count on cricket and the famous shrine of Ajmer Sharif to provide the perfect cover for informal talks.
President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan visited the Ajmer Sharif shrine on Sunday afternoon, after having a conversation and a delegation-level lunch with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India in New Delhi.
Ajmer Sharif is a famous shrine to the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, situated in the middle of Ajmer, Rajasthan, 420 kilometers, or 260 miles, southwest of New Delhi. The saint established an order of Sufism known for its generosity and tolerance, and the shrine is considered one of the world’s most revered places for Muslims. At least 10,000 people visit the shrine every day. Visitors include Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs who come to get their wishes fulfilled.
Several leaders of Pakistan have visited Ajmer Sharif in the past. In 1987, General Zia-ul-Haq, then the president of Pakistan, visited Jaipur to watch a cricket match, followed by a visit to Ajmer Sharif. At the time relations between India and Pakistan were passing through a particularly rough phase. He wrote in the visitor’s book, “O Allah, Please accept the services of this servant.”
Benazir Bhutto, the assassinated former prime minister of Pakistan and wife of Mr. Zardari, visited Ajmer Sharif four times but never as a prime minister. During her first visit in 1991 she wrote in the visitor’s book, “I pray for peace, for well being of humanity, for tolerance and understanding.” A decade later she visited again and wrote, “I feel the spirituality of Darbar. I feel a sense of happiness and joy and an uplifting experience.”
On her third visit, in 2003, she wrote, “I feel great support coming to Ajmer Sharif and offering prayers.” She again visited in 2005 and wrote, “I come for thanks giving as relations between India and Pakistan improve and my husband Asif Ali Zardari is freed from the captivity of tyrants.”
In 2005. the then-president of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, visited Ajmer Sharif and wrote in the visitor’s book, “I consider it my honor as also of my entire delegation to have prayed of the Shrine of Sufi Saint Hazrat Moinuddin Chishty. Our prayers for peace, harmony and amity between Pakistan and India and prosperity of both the countries be answered.”
In 2007, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali of Pakistan visited the shrine and wrote in visitor’s book, “Allah has been very kind to bring me here. Insha Allah will pray to come back here.”
After the Mumbai attacks in 2008, in which at least 163 people were killed by Pakistani terrorists, official talks between India and Pakistan were suspended. Cricket diplomacy came in handy here. Prime Minister Yosuf Raza Gilani of Pakistan visited India in 2011 to watch the India-Pakistan World Cup cricket semifinal match in Mohali. Bilateral relations were resumed again soon after.
After the visit of Mr. Zardari on Sunday afternoon, it will be seen whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India will reciprocate with an official visit to Pakistan. May be that would be the best tribute to the Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti.
[Picture: Zardari prays at Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Photo: Ajmer Sharif Dargah (shrine) website.]
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