Punjab announces public holiday on July 22

MULTAN: A local public holiday has been declared in Multan for Tuesday, July 22, in observance of the 787th Urs of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani (RA), said an official notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Multan, Dr Faisal Saleem.

As per the notification, all Government offices, departments at district level and other public institutions of the district shall remain closed on Tuesday, July 22, 2019.

The District Administration said that the local holiday was declared keeping in view the requirements of devotees and citizens observing the Urs ceremony.

Urs of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani (RA) is considered one of the biggest annual gatherings in Multan. Devotees from different parts of the country arrive in Multan annually in order to perform prayer and attend several religious rituals of the great Sufi saint.

Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya’s Shrine in the historic old city of Multan is considered to be one of the most important Sufi sites in Pakistan.

Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya (RA) was a famous scholar of Islam during the 13th century. Hazrat Zakaria belonged to the Suhrawardi order of Islam and had contributed immensely to the propagation of Islamic beliefs in the region.

Religious gatherings, readings from the Holy Quran, prayers and other rituals are organized in various ceremonies on this day by the shrine.

This day is celebrated to ensure that all governmental servants, residents, and pilgrims can celebrate the Urs without any interruption, and also to assist the government in handling the huge number of visitors to the area.

It should be noted that the public holiday is only applicable in Multan District and not elsewhere in the Punjab Province.