A pilgrimage for Sehba

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 15. For the First Lady of Pakistan, Ms. Sehba Musharraf, the visit to India is truly a pilgrimage. On Saturday, she was a pilgrim along with her husband to the samadhi of the apostle of peace, Mahatma Gandhi.

Today, soon after landing in Agra, she flew alone to the historic city of Fatehpur Sikri for a pilgrimage to the ``dargah'' of Hazrat Sheikh Salim Chishti. And, tomorrow she is bound for Ajmer Sharief on another pilgrimage.

This morning, just as the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, was sitting down to iron out the rough spots between India and Pakistan, his wife was offering prayers at the Dargah of Hazrat Sheikh Salim Chishti.

Coming out of the ``dargah'' located opposite Buland Darwaza, Begum Sehba said she had prayed that ``aaj ka din khushhaal ho hum sab ke liye'' (may this day be prosperous for all of us). Besides offering a chadar, the she also tied a thread.

Well aware of the belief that a wish made in such a fashion would come true only if kept a secret, scribes did not force her to reveal what she had asked for.

But, when asked whether she would come back - as the tradition is for a pilgrim to return if his/her wish is granted - Begum Sehba said: ``Let's hope something positive comes out of it, Insha- allah.''

Ferried to the city in a helicopter, Begum Sehba entered the Jami Masjid area of Fatehpur Sikri from the Badshahi Darwaza and walked straight to the ``dargah'' where she spent a quarter of an hour.

Though she was initially slated to visit Jodha Bai's Palace within the sprawling complex, she returned after visiting the Buland Darwaza.

The First Lady's entourage was accompanied by the direct descendant of Salim Chishti, Sajjada Nashin Peerzada Ayazuddin Chishti, and the Superintending Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India in Agra, Mr. Mohammed K. K.

Confident that Begum Sehba's prayers would be answered, the Sajjada Nashin said: ``If Akbar could have three sons through the saint's intercession when he had only asked for one, then why won't the First Lady's prayer for peace between the two countries be granted.''

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