–Sufi, qawali, cultural nights to be held in Chowk Wazir Khan every Saturday
–WCLA official says free-for-all event aimed at entertaining locals, reviving interfaith harmony
LAHORE: The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) is resuming to hold “Music for Peace” – weekly Sufi, qawali and cultural nights – at the conserved Chowk Wazir Khan from Saturday (February 9), which are aimed at entertaining the people, especially locals of the Walled City.
As per the details, WCLA and a private company named One Staff Solution have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) wherein it was agreed that a qawali night will be held on every Saturday at the restored site by the Social Mobilization Wing of the authority.
“We used to cherish the entertainment nights earlier held every Friday but they were called off abruptly,” a resident of Delhi Gate, Mian Azam, said. He added that a wave of excitement had spread among the locals ever since the WCLA Social Mobilization Wing announced relaunching the Sufi nights. “My family just can’t wait for Saturday now.”
A resident of Chohata Mufti Bakar, Shagufta Naz, said there were no entertainment outlets for the people of the Old City, especially the women.
“We remain busy in doing household chores all day long and don’t really have any other options than to watch the television after a long hectic day. The cultural nights at Chowk Wazir Khan provided us with free entertainment and we used to take with us food that we enjoyed while listening to qawalis,” she added.
WCLA Social Mobilization Wing Deputy Director Nosheen Zaidi while speaking to Pakistan Today said that the authority had made the decision while realising the importance of social harmony and peace in a multi-cultural society.
“No other place can serve the purpose better than Chowk Wazir Khan as it houses a mosque, a Sikh Well and a Sufi Shrine.”
Music for Peace nights are being organised for the locals of the Walled City but people from greater Lahore can join it as well. “It is free for all and aims to revive interfaith harmony among the society which is trailing with the growing rigidity in our behaviours and social attitudes.”
The Walled City of Lahore has always been an example of interfaith harmony where you can find the Badshahi Mosque and a Gurdawara constructed right next to each other, she said and added, “The Sufi saints preached harmony and peace in this land. Music for Peace will serve as a great opportunity to soften the temperaments, uplift the moods and generate a spirit of happiness, harmony and peace.”
She said WCLA had started holding the nights in 2017 as well but it could not continue to do so due to some constraints. “But now the sponsor has been kind enough to facilitate us in organising these cultural nights for an entire year.”
To a question, she said that WCLA had kept in view the sanctity of the Wazir Khan Mosque and only qawali or Sufi nights will be held so that no disrespect is shown. “We will take all measures to present to the people the best Sufi singers.”
WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari said Chowk Wazir Khan was the best public space presently available in the Old City. “I think that Sufi and cultural nights are the best use of this space, keeping in view the sanctity of the mosque and the neighbourhood,” he added.
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