The celebration of the Urs of Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan is only a few days off now, and as the word ‘Urs’ means wedding – for it commemorates the moment that the soul joins the Beloved for eternity – it is hardly surprising that the preparations for the Urs festival are very similar to those for the wedding of any couple, anywhere in the world. Begin with the physical preparation: the Dargah compound has been scrupulously cleaned, swept, plastered and painted, the plumber and the electrician have done the necessary checks and repairs, and all the nicks and scrapes and minor damage accumulated over a year have been put to rights. Naturally we want to feed our guests, so a menu has been agreed with local ladies, ingredients have been ordered and catering has been arranged. The flower man, who will drape the mazar and much of the compound in colourful strings of flowers, has been called, as has the tent man, who will erect a canopy to protect the guests and also provide a temporary stage, carpets, chairs, plates, cups, saucers and other necessaries. Musicians and speakers of excellent quality have been invited, the sound man has been booked, and invitation cards have been designed, printed and mailed. A new chaadar, the ceremonial cloth that will be blessed and laid reverently on the tomb, is ready for the special day.

At the moment when I shall be leaving this earth,
it is not the number of followers which will make me proud;
it is the thought that I have delivered His message to some souls that will console me,
and the feeling that it helped them through life that will bring me satisfaction.
—Gayan Gamakas —

Meanwhile the guests are starting to assemble, arriving from countries around the world, and whether it is for their first time or their twentieth, they come with a sense of happy anticipation, greeting each other with smiles, just as we do at an earthly wedding. When a couple marries, their community gathers to wish them well and to celebrate the start of a new phase in life. The friends and mureeds of Hazrat Inayat Khan that are coming together now have the same intention – to express our best wishes – call them prayers, if you want, to share the happiness of this moment and to celebrate, and of course to offer our gratitude, for, if it does not stretch the metaphor too far, we are the offspring of this Union.