DADU: Undeterred by the terrorist attack that claimed nearly 80 lives and left hundreds of people injured at the shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar on Thursday evening, a crowd of devotees comprising men, women and children entered the mausoleum and resumed dhamal on Friday at its usual time (sunset) keeping the centuries-old tradition of the Sufi saint alive.

While most towns of the province remained shut in mourning as people from all walks of life condemned the bomb blast and staged protest demonstrations against militancy and extremism, the love of the spiritual figure attracted many devotees back to the shrine in reverence.

It’s a common belief that dhamal — a traditional dance performed by devotees to a drumbeat that rises to a crescendo — has never been suspended at the shrine for a single day since its beginning. The only difference on Friday evening was that the fervent devotees were charged with emotions more than ever when they entered the premises chanting “Lal Qalandar”, “Sehwan Da Qalandar”, “Sindhri da Qalandar” yet they fell into a trance while moving their feet to the steady beat of naqqara.

Shutdown in most parts of Sindh as different sections of society observe mourning while religious and political groups stage rallies against militancy and extremism

According to the devotees and followers of the Sufi saint, Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar had set this tradition of dhamal in the 13th century. They said the dhamal had its own rhythm that provided spiritual guidance to them.

Many devotees interviewed by Reuters made it clear that despite their frustration at authorities for failing to protect the shrine, they would keep coming to express their faith. “This blast cannot dent the resolve of devotees from coming here or for that matter going to any other shrine,” said Iqbal Husain, 49, a resident of Sehwan Sharif. “Our life and death is with Lal Saain,” he added.

“If they [the attackers] think this blast will create fear among the Sufi people, they are badly mistaken,” said Nazar Husain Shah, who was visiting the shrine from a neighbouring district. Last November, he said, an explosion ripped through another Sufi shrine at Shah Noorani in Balochistan, killing at least 52 people. “They have been bombing shrines for long; have people stopped going to shrines?” he added.

While speaking to Dawn, Sehwan SP Mian Rashid Hidayat said the devotees were allowed to hold dhamal at its usual place. But no visitor was allowed to enter the inner hall of the shrine, as investigation was under way. He said that the inner part of the building, which was looked after by the Auqaf department, would remain closed till the cleaning of the site. “It will be opened soon for devotees with the consultation of senior officers of Auqaf department,” he added.

Adviser to chief minister for Auqaf department Syed Ghulam Shah Jilani said it was a message to the militants that people were united against terrorism. “This dhamal at the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine at the same time and same place is an example of the people’s unity,” he said, adding that the message of the Qalandar was to respect all humans and live with peace and harmony.

The official said that work to clean the area near the grave was about to be completed. Amid tightened security, he said, the people were free to perform all rituals according to their belief.

According to their belief, the followers of the Qalandar, by holding the dhamal, made a promise with the Sufi saint that they would serve humanity and respect everyone; men and women, young and old, irrespective of their ethnic or religious background, said a blast survivor, Hasina Bhand, while talking to Dawn at the Civil Hospital Dadu.

Mourning, protests

Reeling from shock and grief over the bomb attack on the peaceful devotees, all towns of Sindh remained shut in mourning while protest demonstrations and rallies were staged in some areas against militancy and extremism.

In Karachi, the Arts Council of Pakistan also announced three-day mourning and cancelled all those events or programmes, which were scheduled between Feb 16 and 18, said a statement issued on Friday. While the city was not closed, protest demonstrations against the brutal attack in Sehwan were staged near the Karachi Press Club.

In Larkana, the neighbouring town of Sehwan, different religious parties assembled outside the Jinnahbagh. Carrying two bodies in caskets with them in the protest, the protesters criticised the federal interior minister and demanded action against banned militant outfits.

The organisers announced three-day mourning in Larkana against the targeted attack and reiterated their demand for effective operation against the organisations involved in such attacks.

Meanwhile, security was beefed up in the city as the Rangers kept patrolling different areas on Friday.

Sindh Minister for Agriculture Suhail Anwer Siyal along with MPAs Khursheed Junejo and Mohammed Ali Bhutto, on behalf of Asif Ali Zardari and MNA Faryal Talpur, visited the houses of four persons in Naudero and Ratodero who were killed in the Sehwan blast. They offered condolence with the bereaved families of the deceased, Peeral Khaskheli, Bashir Khuhro, Zamir Shaikh and Talib Lolai.

Processions were also taken out in Qambar-Shahdadkot where the participants vehemently condemned the security lapses and poor health facilities near the blast site. Till Friday evening, 17 bodies had been brought to Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts.

Hyderabad

In Hyderabad, political and religious groups gathered outside the press club and chanted slogans against the Sindh government and police for failing to provide security to the devotees.

Meanwhile, the Al Fuqra Ittehad, Qasimabad, Tablighul Aza Society, Sakhi Abdul Wahab Shah Jilani Trust and other groups also staged protest demonstrations against the blast.

Nawabshah

Various political and religious parties took out rallies against the incident in Nawabshah.

The Shia Ulema Council took out a rally from Murtazavi Imambargah to the local press club where the protesters were addressed by Allama Syed Nasir Abbas Taqvi. They condemned the attack and demanded effective implementation of the National Action Plan.

Workers of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), led by Syed Nasir Shah and Ali Raza Khaskheli, also took out a rally and held a protest demonstration.

Students of Quaid-i-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology also held a demonstration against the blast.

Badin

People belonging to different walks of life took to the streets to lodge their anger and protest against the tragic incident in Sehwan.

Several religious organisations had given a shutdown call. All shops, business centres and bazaars remained closed in Tando Bago. Some angry youths blocked a few roads by placing burning tyres on them. Similar protest demonstrations were held in Matli, Talhar, Kadhan, Nindo Shahar, Pangrio, Kario Ghanwar, Rajo Khanani, Tando Ghulam Ali, Golarchi and other towns of the district after Friday prayers.

Scores of workers and activists belonging to Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) and Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST) staged protest rallies at the press club against the massacre at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.

Meanwhile, the Rangers and police personnel patrolled different parts of the city while heavy contingents of the law-enforcement agencies were deployed at various points, especially at exit and entry points of the district, to avoid any untoward incident.

Mithi

A large number of people holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans against militancy and the bomb blast in Sehwan Sharif staged a demonstration at Kashmir Chowk in Mithi to lodge their protest against the deadly attack.

Protest demonstrations were also staged in Chhachhar, Dahli, Islamkot, Kaloi, Chelhar, Diplo, Nagarparkar and other towns of Tharparkar district. The protesters demanded that the government launch a massive crackdown on proscribed organisations.

Mirpurkhas

Most of the markets and bazaars in the city remained closed, while there was thin traffic on roads, as Mirpurkhas district bar association boycott courts and people at different places held Quran Khwani and Fateha Khwani for the blast victims.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, PST, Pakistan Peoples Party, Shia Ulema Council, Jaffria Alliance, Tehreek Nifaz-i-Fiqh-i-Jaffria, Asghariya Students, Jaffria students and all Shian-i-Haider-i-Karrar and several other religious and political organisations condemned the incident.

Protest rallies were taken out from Station Chowk to Mirpurkhas Press Club in which protesters raised slogans against the terrorists and demanded the government to immediately nab and give exemplary punishment to the culprits.

Meanwhile, patrolling of law-enforcement agencies intensified here. Police personnel were also deployed at mosques and Imambargahs to keep strict watch on miscreants.

Khairpur

A large number of teachers, officers, employees and students attended a condolence reference held for the victims at Shah Abdul Latif University.

Surah Fateha was offered for the departed souls. The participants of the reference demanded stringent security measures to secure the devotees at all shrines, mosques, Imambargahs and other prominent places. The participants highlighted the need for forging unity among all sections of society for peace and harmony. At the end, the participants also prayed for the security, integrity and sovereignty of the country. They condemned the wave of recent terrorist attacks.

Shikarpur

A district-wide shutdown was observed here in Shikarpur on Friday in protest against the suicide bombing.

Trade and business centres across the city remained closed, while lawyers, journalists and civil society organisations held several condolence meetings to express deep sorrow and grief over the disaster. Some religious and political parties also took out protest rallies against the carnage.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2017