Pak president and his son pray for ‘goodness of humanity’ at the Dargah Sharif in Ajmer.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zadari prayed for the ‘goodness of humanity’ and keeping up with the spirit announced an unprecedented offering of $1 million (by a statesman) during his visit to the Dargah Sharif in Ajmer on Sunday.
On a trip aimed at fulfilling a long-standing desire to offer prayers at the famous shrine, Zardari, dressed in a blue Salwar Kameez, arrived with his son Bilawal and a Pakistani delegation amid tight security at the Dargah Sharif at 4.43 pm. He stayed for 20 minutes at the shrine, which was completely shut off to regular visitors and tourists, with only select people, including Khadims, allowed to remain inside to perform the rituals for Zardari and his entourage.
Khadim Iqubal Kaptan offered prayers on the behalf on Zardari and his son Bilawal while Khadim Sayeed Istafazat Ali Chisti performed the rituals on the behalf of Zardari’s brother. Zardari offered a 42-sq-mtr long red ‘chadar’ and floral tributes at the Dargah. Bilawal offered a green chadar.
After their departure, Sayeed Wahid Hussein, secretary of the Anjuman Committee, announced that, ‘The Pakistan President has offered one million USD to the Dargah’ the decision was announced by his OSD immediately after we read out the Duanama.”
The Dargah administration claimed that this was the highest ever offering by any Pakistan President so far. Earlier president Zia Ul Haq had announced Rs7 lakh, which was later received by the Dargah administration. General Parvez Musharaff had presented Rs10 lakh in cash on the spot during his visit in 2005, an official said.
“Is mukaddas mukam par akar mujhe jo ruhani khushi mehsus hui hai wo na kabi e bayan hai. Alla tala se dua hai ki wo tamam insaniyat ke liye asaniya paida kare. Amin” (I feel great spiritual happiness after coming to this holy place. It is beyond description. I pray to God to create favourable condition for the humanity. Amen,” Zardari wrote in the visitors’ book before leaving for Jaipur.
On his departure the khadims presented him with a miniature model of the Dargah and a copy of the Koran. The Dargah committee presented him with a sword. The khandims also presented him with two chadars for Babafarid Ud-Din-Ganj-Shakar Pak shrine near Lahore and Data Baksh Shrine in Lahore.
Tight security arrangements were in place for the high-profile visit and more than 3,000 police personnel guarded the area between the helipad and the Dargah. The Dargah premises were evacuated after noon for the visit and pass holders were allowed to stay inside the Dargah during the visit of Zardari. The entire Dargah was covered with colorful tents to hide the movement and activities inside the premises visible from neighbouring buildings.
The delegation also included Pawan Bansal, Union Parliament secretary who was here to offer prayers and pay obeisance on the behalf of prime minster Manhohan Singh.
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