Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine Blast- A Dangerous Sign

Security Officers Inspecting Blood-Stained Floor of Lal Shahbaz Shrine 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

By turning red the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar with the blood of innocent ‘Zaireens’(pilgrims),ISIS  has exhibited once again its ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy against any place that accepts devotees without asking questions about their caste, creed, language, religion or  political affiliation. Ever since its formation, ISIS has targeted at regular intervals shrines that are revered by a large section of Muslims be it Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Middle-East, India or Pakistan. Imambargahs and Sufi shrines have specifically been its target, for their existence prevent people from turning fanatics or perpetrate violence or barbarism in the name of Islam.

Pakistan government has launched a nationwide campaign against terrorists. Islamabad has even warned Afghanistan to stop harboring terrorists and handover them to Pakistan in strongest terms. Nawaz Sharif government has also asked Afghanistan to either eliminate terrorists or face consequences. Pakistan had hanged a number of terrorists after witnessing tragic attacks at several places. But nothing seems to deter terrorists in Pakistan and they continue to hold to ransom the entire nation.

It is a well-known fact that Pakistan has been harboring terrorists from the time of General Zia-Ul-Haque. The successive regimes have also not been able to suppress fanatics and political leaders like Benazir Bhutto has fallen prey to bullets. Of late, Pakistan has been trying to initiate campaign for elimination of terrorists following pressure from different quarters. The move of the government is unacceptable to fanatics who have been enjoying the government patronage so far. Hence, they have escalated violence with the attack on the shrine of Red Falcon Lal Shahbaz) in Sindh province. Prior to savagely bombing the shrine of Shahbaz Qalandar, for similar terrorist attacks have been carried out in Pakistan in the past few weeks.

Nobody knows for how long such barbaric attacks will continue to be witnessed in Pakistan? If past is any indication, Pakistan government has proved to be simply helpless against terrorist outfits. It is not ironical but also a dangerous sign. If ISIS has managed to spread its tentacles so deeply in Pakistan, India needs to be very careful and cautious. ISIS has repeatedly exhibited its ability to attract talented educated youths. It is also frequently proved as to how ISIS using children for fulfilling its nefarious designs.

The situation therefore calls for immediate attention of all those who believe in the true Islam. ISIS is against Sufism as it is considered to be moderate fact of Islam and enjoys more acceptances among Western countries and US. Likewise, ISIS oppose Imami ideology because of its known opposition to all sorts of oppression and exploitation that Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphs and their modern followers have been carrying out in the name of purifying Islam with the help of paid Mullahs.       

Women Crying after losing their near and dear ones. 

They attacked Sehwan shrine in view of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s known love for Maula Ali and his love for his Ahlebait. It is widely believed that the  famous quatrain associated with Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is: Haydarium Qalandarum Mastum. In the quatrain, Shahbaz  Qalandar declares his love and devotion for Hazrat Ali. The quatrain has been used in qawwalis and nauhas (elegies) and signifies the deep affection the Qalandar had for the household of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad.Another ritual associated with the shrine  is the ‘Dhammal’( ecstatic Sufi dance).Some Islamic scholars consider  Dhammal origin from the Persian  phrase deh meel, or ‘ten mile’.They opine that Dhammal originally was not a ‘dance’ at all, but developed in its present form as by Shahbaz Qalandar  as a tribute to the sufferings of the martyrs and prisoners of Karbala.It is for this reason the blast was carried out at the shrine when Dhammal ritual was underway.

Serene Shrine of Lal Shahbaz qalandar on a Normal Day.

There are numerous versions about  Qalandar’s arrival in Sindh.But it is generally believed he  came to Sindh in late 12th or early 13th century AD.Hisd originalname was Syed Usman Marwadi and title Lal Shahbaz. He is  a descendant of the Holy Prophet  from the lineage of Sixth Imam Jafar as-Sadiq. His Urs  or death anniversary, is observed every year in the Islamic month of Shaaban. People of different sects and religions converge upon his mausoleum to escape the humdrum troubles of modern life.Hiss tomb is a place where the formal and the non-formal; the orthodox and the heterodox; the worldly and the spiritual meet and perhaps this feature of the shrine irked ISIS and it carried out blast that claimed over 200 lives and left several hundreds wounded .(References available on request. Photo Courtesy Google Images)