BY: FT Correspondent:
RAWALPINDI—The 786th annual Urs of the great Sufi saint of the Subcontinent, Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya, was commemorated with religious devotion at the Anjuman Faiz-ul-Islam (AFI) Centre in Faizabad, where scholars, diplomats, religious leaders, educationists, and members of civil society paid tribute to his lasting spiritual, educational, and socio-economic contributions.
The ceremony was attended by Cultural Counsellor of the Iranian Embassy Dr. Mehdi Al-Taheri as the chief guest. Among those present were spiritual successor to the shrine of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya and Member of the National Assembly Zain Qureshi, renowned religious scholar Syed Ghazanfar Mehdi, President of Anjuman Faiz-ul-Islam Professor Dr. Riaz Ahmad, Kaukab Iqbal Kaukab, Lt. Col. (Retd.) Mian Jameel Athar, Group Captain (Retd.) Pervez Akhtar, Naeem Akram Qureshi, members of the academic community, and a large number of distinguished citizens.
Addressing the gathering, MNA Zain Qureshi said that economic self-reliance, moral integrity, and strong character formed the foundation of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya’s teachings alongside the propagation of Islam. He stressed that neither individuals nor nations could exercise true independence without economic self-sufficiency and urged Pakistan to revive the timeless principles promoted by the great Sufi saints.
He said Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya not only spread the message of Islam but also encouraged trade, commerce, and skill development, contributing to both spiritual enlightenment and economic prosperity. Zain Qureshi further noted that the first residential madrassa in the Subcontinent, equipped with boarding facilities for students, was established by the revered saint, reflecting his visionary commitment to education and public welfare.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mehdi Al-Taheri reaffirmed the strong religious, cultural, and historical ties between Pakistan and Iran, stating that the people of Iran hold Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya in the highest esteem and remain committed to strengthening bilateral relations.
Professor Dr. Riaz Ahmad highlighted the pivotal role played by the great Sufi saints in spreading Islam across the Subcontinent through their exemplary character, scholarship, and service to humanity. He said their teachings remain highly relevant and should be preserved and implemented to address contemporary social and moral challenges.
Other speakers said Pakistan could achieve sustainable development, economic independence, and national prosperity by following the principles of honesty, self-reliance, and public service taught by Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya and other great Sufi saints. They urged society to adopt these enduring values to build a prosperous, morally upright, and self-sufficient nation.
