Shah Rukn-e-Alam’s 713th Urs begins in Multan with call to follow Sufi teachings

MULTAN: The 713th annual Urs of renowned Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam Suhrawardi Multani (RA) began in Multan with a national conference highlighting the importance of following the teachings of Sufi saints to address terrorism and other challenges facing the country.

Addressing the conference on the first day of the Urs, the shrine’s custodian, Makhdoomzada Zain Hussain Qureshi, said Pakistan must follow the teachings of the saints to overcome the challenges confronting the nation. He stressed the need for national unity and solidarity to deal with the prevailing situation.

He said the shrines of the saints continued to attract thousands of devotees seeking blessings and praying to Allah for the fulfilment of their wishes. He added that the spiritual influence of the saints would continue until the Day of Judgment, as they had attained their status through devotion, worship and unwavering commitment to Allah.

Zain Hussain Qureshi said the religious services of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam (RA) would never be forgotten. He noted that the saint had spread the light of knowledge, and his contributions would remain alive for generations to come.

He also welcomed devotees arriving from Sindh and the other provinces to attend the annual Urs. He expressed hope that visitors would observe the sanctity of the shrine and offer their respects with due reverence.

The first session of the national conference was attended by former MPA Makhdoom Mureed Hussain Qureshi, Makhdoomzada Sajjad Hussain Qureshi, the custodian of the shrine of Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Farid, Khawaja Moeenuddin Koreja, and former federal minister Sahibzada Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi.

Other speakers included Jamaat Ahle Sunnat Punjab provincial secretary-general Allama Muhammad Farooq Khan Saeedi, Islamia Research Centre Director at Bahauddin Zakariya University Dr Altaf Hussain Langrial, Syed Jahangir Shah Saeedi, Professor Dr Muhammad Siddique Khan Qadri and senior journalist Mazhar Javed Sial.

Several religious figures, political representatives and other dignitaries also attended the event. Among those present on the stage were Pir Kabir Ahmed Qureshi, Makhdoom Qaiser Alam Subhani, Makhdoom Ghaus Alamain Gillani, Pir Saif Ahmed Qureshi, MNA Pir Zahoor Hussain Qureshi, Pir Muhammad Raza Qureshi and Pir Nasir Raza Qureshi, along with other guests.

Hamid Nawaz Asim, Hamid Nawaz, Waheed Nawaz, Saeed Nawaz, Munir Hussain Hashmi, Qari Muhammad Saeed Naqshbandi, Noman Bakhtiar and Haji Khan Muhammad Chachar were among those who presented tributes in honour of the revered saint.

Meanwhile, security arrangements remained on high alert during the Urs. The relevant departments established assistance camps to facilitate visitors, with the Health Department, Civil Defence, Rescue 1122 and other agencies providing support. Walk-through gates were also installed to strengthen security and ensure the safety of devotees.