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According to a report by Wego, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that it is inviting applications from Pakistani pilgrims who wish to participate in the Urs of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, a renowned Sufi poet and musician, in Delhi, India.

The Urs, which is the annual commemoration of the death anniversary of a Sufi saint, will be held from 23 to 30 April 2024 at the Nizamuddin Dargah, where Hazrat Amir Khusrau is buried.

As per the Ministry, interested pilgrims can submit their applications through the Ziarat form by 25 November 2023. The Ministry will further process the applications and issue visas and travel permits to the selected pilgrims.

Hazrat Amir Khusrau (1253–1325), a spiritual disciple of revered Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, is hailed as the “father of Urdu literature” and the “parrot of India.” Credited with inventing the sitar, he wrote verses in Persian, Arabic, and Hindavi, often praising his beloved master, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya.

The Urs of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, a significant cultural and religious event, attracts thousands of devotees worldwide every year. The celebrations include poetry recitations, musical performances, and charity for the poor.

Symbolizing the diverse heritage of the Indian subcontinent and fostering love and harmony across borders, pilgrims use this opportunity to pay their respects to Urs of Hazrat Amir Khusrau and other Sufi saints buried in the vicinity of the dargah.