BHITSHAH: Syed Waqar Hussain Shah, who turns 40 next month, became the 12th Sajjada Nashin of the Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai shrine on Wednesday evening to succeed his father, Syed Nisar Hussain Shah Latifi, who died of cardiac arrest on Monday.

The ceremony, held in the courtyard of the shrine after Soyem of the deceased, was attended by a large number of devotees, besides family members of the Sajjada Nashin, representatives of various political parties and other people.

Syed Waqar Shah, who has devoted his life to the propagation of Shah Latif Bhitai’s message, vowed to continue with the mission with renewed vigour.

Stressing inter-faith harmony, he said those who kill innocent children in the name of Islam have no religion. “They are misusing the name of religion and are enemies of humanity,” he told Dawn.

PML-N lawmaker Marvi Memon, Jeay Sindh Mahaz-Riaz chairman Riaz Chandio, MQM activist Mohammad Sharif, Jeay Sindh Qaum Parast activist Qamar Bhatti, Syed Ameer Hyder Shah (son of the late G.M. Syed) and Shahabuddin Shah Hussaini were among those present at the ceremony.

“I will work with more strength without any fear. Every second of my life will be devoted to [the propagation of] Shah Latif Bhitai’s message,” the new Sajjada Nashin said, and expressed his optimism that the province would become ‘Sindh of Bhitai’.

Earlier, Syed Mohammad Hyder, son of Syed Shahid Hussain Shah, Sajjada Nashin of Dargah Shah Karim Bulri, presented the attire of Bhitai, haal dhaga, to Syed Waqar Shah in line with the shrine’s traditions. Syed Shahid Shah is at present in the United States.

Haal dhaga comprises a sleeveless piece of cloth, a shawl, a cap and a turban (amama).

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2015