UMERKOT: It was an interesting occasion manifesting communal harmony when several thousand Muslim, Hindu and Christian admirers of mystic singer Sadique Fakir — who devoted his entire life to singing mostly mystic poetry as well as religious verses (including bhajans) and earned fame across the subcontinent — attended his last rites in Mithi on Thursday.

Prominent political and literary figures of Sindh were among those who paid tribute to the great singer at the funeral ceremony.

Sadique Fakir, 48, died and his wife and children were injured when the vehicle they were travelling in met with an accident near Arafat on Feb 26 while performing Umrah.

The body was flown into Karachi on Thursday and then transported to Mithi, where his relatives, friends and admirers were anxiously waiting for his last glimpse.

At many places along the route of the convoy of vehicles carrying his body people lined up and showered flowers and rose petals on the coffin carrier.

According to an estimate, around 8,000 people walked along with the coffin when it was taken out of his home to take it to the local graveyard some three kilometres away.

Quran Khwani at various mosques and imambargahs were held and recitation of the Gita was organised at temples while literary organisations and groups held condolence meetings for the deceased singer in Mithi.

A shutterdown was observed in the town on Thursday to mourn Sadique Fakir’s death.

Published in Dawn March 6th, 2015

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