With love from Obama, a ‘chadar’ for Ajmer Sharif

Mumbai, April 18

“A red coloured, richly embroidered “chadar” (holy cloth) will be offered on Obama’s behalf at the mausoleum of the Garib Nawaz on the inaugural day of the weeklong urs,” said Haji Syed Salman Chishty, director of Ajmer’s Chishty Foundation.

The “chadar” was handed over to Haji Chishty on behalf of the US Government and Obama by US ambassador Richard Verma, deputy chief of mission Micheal Pelletier and other officials on Friday morning, with a request to present it at the Ajmer Dargah Sharif.

“It’s a historic day and a welcome moment. It’s the first gesture of extending spiritual greetings of peace to the Ajmer Dargah Sharif from a non-South Asian country’s head of state,” said Haji Chishty, the 27th descendant of the saint.

He said such “chadars” and offerings were received with respect and grace from Presidents or Prime Ministers and other top leaders of several South Asian countries, including regulars such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

“This is the first time that any non-South Asian country’s head has sent a chadar to the Ajmer Dargah Sharif,” said Haji Chishty. — IANS