Mian Mir Pak shirne to celebrate Golden Temple’s stone laying day

Amritsar: Pakistani authorities and a Sufi shrine will hold a landmark event in Kartarpur Sahib to commemorate the Neeh Pathar Diwas (foundation stone laying day) of the iconic Harmandir Sahib, or Golden Temple, highlighting a centuries-old interfaith bond. The ceremony will be on Jan 14 at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, a venue across the border and central to Sikh faith and pilgrimage.The event, organised by Pakistan's Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and Darbar Mian Mir of Lahore, pays tribute to Sain Mian Mir, the revered Muslim Sufi saint who laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple in 1588 at the invitation of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru. The ceremony will see participation from Sain Syed Ali Raza Gillani Qadri, the saint's custodian and successor, alongside Sikh pilgrims travelling from India for the occasion.Pakistan's additional secretary of shrines, Saifullah Khokhar, confirmed that his teams had made all preparations for the historically significant event, which is expected to strengthen the interfaith ties that the ceremony symbolises. "Pilgrim numbers remain high despite challenging weather, with about 480 visitors crossing the Zero Line daily," Khokhar said, noting the use of battery-operated vans and centrally heated facilities to ensure comfort during the winter chill.However, Ali Raza Gillani Qadri noted that Indian Sikh leaders, including Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami might not attend due to pressing matters, including a recent shooting incident near the Golden Temple. The Kartarpur Sahib event underscores the enduring legacy of Mian Mir, a figure who transcended religious boundaries to forge a historic friendship with Guru Arjan Dev. His role in laying the foundation stone of Sikhism's holiest shrine remains a symbol of unity between faiths, even as modern geopolitics continue to divide the region. MSID:: 116940718 413 |Amritsar: Pakistani authorities and a Sufi shrine will will hold a landmark event in Kartarpur Sahib to commemorate the Neeh Pathar Diwas (foundation stone laying day) of the iconic Harmandir Sahib, or Golden Temple, highlighting a centuries-old interfaith bond. The ceremony will be on Jan 14 at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, a venue across the border and central to Sikh faith and pilgrimage.The event, organized by Pakistan's Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and Darbar Mian Mir of Lahore, pays tribute to Sain Mian Mir, the revered Muslim Sufi saint who laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple in 1588 at the invitation of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru. The ceremony will see participation from Sain Syed Ali Raza Gillani Qadri, the saint's custodian and successor, alongside Sikh pilgrims travelling from India for the occasion.Pakistan's additional secretary of shrines, Saifullah Khokhar, confirmed that his teams had made all preparations for the historically significant event, which is expected to strengthen the interfaith ties that the ceremony symbolises. "Pilgrim numbers remain high despite challenging weather, with about 480 visitors crossing the Zero Line daily," Khokhar said, noting the use of battery-operated vans and centrally heated facilities to ensure comfort during the winter chill.However, Ali Raza Gillani Qadri noted that Indian Sikh leaders, including Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami might not attend due to pressing matters, including a recent shooting incident near the Golden Temple. The Kartarpur Sahib event underscores the enduring legacy of Mian Mir, a figure who transcended religious boundaries to forge a historic friendship with Guru Arjan Dev. His role in laying the foundation stone of Sikhism's holiest shrine remains a symbol of unity between faiths, even as modern geopolitics continue to divide the region. MSID:: 116940718 413 |