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Musharraf may visit Delhi's
Nizamuddin dargah

Basharat Peer in New Delhi.

Syed Kashif Ali Nizami, custodian of the Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah in south Delhi, on Friday said Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf might pay homage at the shrine when he comes to India in July for his summit meeting with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The dargah was built in memory of the 13th century Sufi saint Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya and his legendary disciple poet Amir Khusrau.

Preparations for the Musharraf visit are on with the dargah administration sprucing up the area inside the compound and the Delhi government agencies the streets leading to the shrine.

The shrine of Nizamuddin Auliya, the fourth saint of the Chishtia order, was built in 1325, the year he died. It had undergone several renovations with the present mausoleum dating back to 1562.

The dargah has a separate entrance, known as the Bawli gate, for the entry of dignitaries.

It is receiving special attention as Musharraf is expected to use this entrance.

Nizami told rediff.com, "We are sure about his visit but do not know the exact details, like the date or time."

Nizami recently attended a meeting with various government officials, where he was told to start preparations for the visit. But he denies having received any written communication from the Pakistani embassy or the home or external affairs ministries.

Nizami is planning to greet Musharraf with qawwalis, the devotional songs and music that play an important role among the Chishtias.

Nazim Ali Nizami, another senior member in the dargah administration said Sufis preached the message of love and, in this context, Musharraf's visit was apt.

"With the blessings of Mehboob-e-Ilaahi Nizamuddin Auliya, the bonds of friendship between India and Pakistan can be strengthened and disputes resolved," a hopeful Nizami told rediff.com.

Meanwhile, the annual Urs (festival) to mark the death anniversary of the Sufi saint is to be held between July 8-12 and would be attended by 250 Pakistani devotees.

ALSO SEE:
Ajmer gears up to receive Musharraf

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

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