NEWSLINKS US EDITION COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Kamla Bora in Jaipur
When General Pervez Musharraf steps into the dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer next month, a new leaf will be added to the dargah's history.
Although a formal intimation of General Musharraf's visit is yet to be received by the local administration, district machinery has already begun preparations for the VVIP visit.
A spokesman of the dargah, Syed Zainul Abedin said: "Since General Musharraf is arriving in India for furthering peace, it is appropriate for him to make a pilgrimage to the dargah of the Sufi saint who is considered a messenger of peace."
As per traditions, the general will be presented with a dastarbandi (turban) and tabarruk (sweet offerings), the spokesman added.
A former member of the Dargah Committee, Shabir Nakshbardi, had invited General Musharraf to the dargah.
However, there has been some controversy over the invitation. Sarvar Chisti, the secretary of Anjuman, an organisation comprising the direct descendants of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, said: "Any one, big or small, rich or poor, of any caste or creed is always welcome to the dargah at any time. Therefore why any invitation?"
Meanwhile, local police and intelligence agencies have started clearing the dargah area of undesirable elements, official sources said.
ALSO SEE: Indo-Pak Summit 2001
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
