Ajmer Sharif: In a significant gesture of interfaith harmony, Sadguru Shri Uday Singh Ji Maharaj, spiritual head of the Namdhari Sikh community, visited the revered Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishty (R.A.), popularly known as Khwaja Gharib Nawaz, at Ajmer Sharif and received the Global Peace Award from Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Gaddi Nashin of the Dargah and Chairman of the Chishty Foundation.
Accompanied by revered Mata Gursharan Kaur Ji, community elders, devotees and followers, Guru Ji joined members of the historic Khuddam-e-Khwaja community in prayers at the shrine. The visit brought together the Sikh and Sufi traditions in a shared expression of love, service, spiritual devotion and the oneness of humanity.
Haji Syed Salman Chishty, along with Syed Aman Chishty, Syed Saeed Chishty, Syed Serhan Ali Chishty and Syed Ali Zaid Chishty, welcomed the Namdhari delegation. Respected community elders Sardar Gurbhej Singh Guraya and Sardar Gurlal Singh were among those accompanying Guru Ji.
The Chishty Foundation conferred the Global Peace Award on Sadguru Shri Uday Singh Ji Maharaj in recognition of his contributions to interfaith harmony, peace and unity, as well as the Namdhari community’s service to society through its centres in India and abroad.
Based at Sri Bhaini Sahib in Punjab, Guru Ji leads a spiritual tradition known for devotion, simplicity and selfless service. Namdhari institutions contribute to healthcare, education, agriculture and community welfare, carrying forward a legacy of service within India’s spiritual and social life.
Sacred Music Bridges Sikh and Sufi Traditions
A special Mehfil-e-Sama, presented by the Shahi Qawwals of Dargah Ajmer Sharif, added a deeply spiritual dimension to the gathering. Their devotional compositions praising the Divine and the Auliya-Allah, alongside Punjabi kalaams honouring Baba Sheikh Farid Ganj-e-Shakar (R.A.), resonated with the assembled devotees.
Guru Ji, the Namdhari Sangat and members of the Khuddam-e-Khwaja community listened together, reflecting the shared spiritual essence of Sikh Shabad and Sufi Sama. Both traditions use devotional music and remembrance of the Divine to guide seekers towards the One.
Haji Syed Salman Chishty also presented spiritual mementos, or tabarruk, from the Dargah Sharif to Guru Ji, Mata Ji and the members of the delegation. He expressed gratitude for their visit and offered special prayers for peace, unity and harmony in India and across the world.
‘Serving Humanity Is the Highest Worship’
Highlighting the significance of the visit, Haji Syed Salman Chishty said, “The Dargah of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz has welcomed every seeker, of every faith, for more than eight centuries. Today’s visit by Sadguru Shri Uday Singh Ji Maharaj and the Namdhari Sangat is a living example of that timeless tradition.”
He added that Sikh Gurus and Sufi saints conveyed a common spiritual truth: that God dwells in every heart and that serving humanity is the highest form of worship.
Emphasising the importance of interfaith relationships in contemporary society, he said that when spiritual leaders from different traditions come together in mutual respect and love, their message reaches communities and strengthens the social fabric of the nation.
A Shared Legacy of Love and Service
The visit reaffirmed the longstanding bonds between the Sikh and Sufi traditions in India. Both place great importance on langar, seva, humility and remembrance of the Divine, while Dargah Ajmer Sharif continues to serve as a spiritual destination for people of diverse faiths.
The gathering concluded with the enduring message associated with Khwaja Gharib Nawaz (R.A.): “Love Towards All, Malice Towards None.”
About the Chishty Foundation: Led by Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Gaddi Nashin of Dargah Ajmer Sharif, the Chishty Foundation promotes the Chishti Sufi message of love, peace and service to humanity. Its initiatives include community kitchens and langar sewa, education, skill development and interfaith dialogue in India and internationally.
