Shrine of Imam Hussain at Khairpur(Sindh- Pakistan)
Dr.Mazhar
Naqvi
The
recent blast at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar should not only be perceived
as an attack on Sufi ideology. Rather, the attack also needs to be analyzed against
the backdrop of well-known affection of Sufis to Imam Ali and Ahlebait-e-Athar
as well. Separatist forces in Pakistan have been bombing both Imami and Sufi
shrines for the past several years. They consider the existence of these
shrines and teachings of Imams and their Sufi followers as a barrier to their ongoing
campaign to strike terror all over the world in the name of purifying Islam.
Such
forces are now focusing on Sindh as the province has proved to be a safe zone
for the admirers of Imam Ali who had taken shelter there following persecution
from Umayyad and Abbasid rulers and the likes of them that followed later. As a
result, Sindh has many Imami and Sufi shrines. Over centuries, these holy
complexes have been used a center of learning and propagate the true tenets of Islam.
Fanatics found the lectures and devotional practices delivered and observed at
such shrines contrary to their beliefs based on the misinterpretation of the
verses of Holy Quran and fabricated ‘Hadeeths’. Since their efforts have not at
all reduced the popularity of Imami or Sufi shrines and they are frequented by
hundreds of thousands of devotees on daily basis, followers of outfits like
ISIS keep attacking them out of frustration.
Under
such circumstances, it becomes incumbent upon those who believe in the
teachings of Panjatan and Sufi orders who consider Maula Ali as the source of
their origin to initiate campaign to preserve the composite culture. The
survivors of terrorist attacks have repeatedly shown exemplary courage after each
such tragic raids on their processions or complexes. The caretakers of Lal
Shahbaz Qalandar Dargah deserve salute for restarting ‘Dhamaal’ within few
hours after the blast. Their courage reminds the courage exhibited by
processionists of a Muharram procession who continued to march ahead while blood-stained
dead bodies of their counterparts lay on the street after the blasts in Peshawar.
This courage comes to them being the flag-bearer of Karbala Revolution. They know
that Imam Hussain had offered sublime sacrifice at Karbala to shook the conscience
of man and make him aware of what is good or bad for humanity? Hence their
spirit is not dampened by repeated attacks on the shrines they love and visit. Rather,
each terrorist attack propel them to take a fresh vow to keep frustrating the anti-humanity
approach of those who had raised the cry of Allah- Ho- Akbar after martyring
Imam Hussain-the grandson of Holy Prophet. And their existing followers are now
killing innocent people with Allah-Ho-Akbar on their lips. All true followers
of Islam should feel obligatory on their part to protect shrines associated
with Imams and their saintly followers in whatever way is possible for them and
counter the ideology of fanatics vehemently. (References available on request. Photo
Courtesy Google Images)
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