Pakistan Court Orders Shrine To Open At Night For Observance

In Pakistan, authorities have been closing Lahore's Shrine of Hazrat Bibi Pak Daman for security reasons after 8:00 p.m. each night.  Yesterday's Daily Times of Pakistan reports that a lawsuit has been filed challenging the closure as a violation of religious freedom because Muslims have the obligation to recite the Qur'an and offer prayers during the night. Yesterday the Lahore High Court issued an interim order granting partial relief. It ordered authorities to keep the shrine open all night on the annual urs-- the death anniversary of the saint honored by the shrine.