DADU: Sindh United Party chairman Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah has said that if the country had followed the teachings of G.M. Syed 40 years ago it would not have to face religious extremism and terrorism being perpetrated in the name of religion today.

Mr Shah said at the 22nd death anniversary of the founder of Jeay Sindh Tehreek G.M. Syed in Sann town late on Tuesday night that Syed believed it would be inevitable for the country to separate state affairs and religion. Mr Shah appealed to Sindhis to participate in the census and have themselves counted.

A Sufi musical programme was organised which continued throughout the night and ended in the morning on Wednesday. Shafi Faqir, Rashid Hyderi, Khalid Hussain Bhatti, Syed Allah Warayo Shah performed in the programme.

Later in the day, Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah led family members and party leaders to visit the grave of G.M. Syed. They laid floral wreaths and offered Fateha.

Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz-Bashir held a separate gathering to observe the death anniversary. Party chairman Sanan Qureshi, who could not attend the event due to illness, said in his message read out by Amjad Mahesar that Sindh was facing water shortage but rulers were silent.

Bashir Qureshi was killed under a well-thought-out conspiracy to stop Sindhis from demanding their rights, he said.

The party workers came in a rally which started from Indus Highway and terminated at Sann.

The banned Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz held a gathering close to the grave of G.M. Syed where party chairman Shafi Burfat’s message was read out.

Mr Burfat said that Sindh’s natural resources had been occupied and demanded that Sindhi language be taught in all schools, colleges and universities in Sindh.

He demanded an end to all ‘anti-Sindh projects’ and said that conspiracy against Hindus should be foiled. Sindhis should be recruited in Thar coal project, he added.

JSQM-Arisar chairman Dr Mir Alam Mari said at his party’s gathering that G.M. Syed was a great leader, scholar and philosopher who did not change his ideology till death.

Jeay Sindh Tehreek-Sarki head Dr Safdar Sarki said in his video message from America at his party’s gathering that protection of Sindh was their national duty.

Workers of JST-Karnani, JSM-Sahito, JSM-Riaz, Jeay Sindh Liberal Front and Jeay Sindh Qaumparsat Party took out rallies from the Indus Highway to Sann, offered Fateha and laid floral wreaths on the grave of G.M. Syed.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2017