DADU: Syed Mohammad Sadiq Shah also known as Hajan Shah Lakyari, caretaker of Qalandar Lal Shahbaz’s shrine died after struggling with a lungs disease at the Syed Abdullah Shah Institute of Medical and Health Sciences in Sehwan late on Saturday night.

He has left three daughters, four sons and a large number of devotees to mourn his death.

Dr Moeenuddin Siddiqi, director of the institute, said that the 73-year-old Lakyari was admitted three days ago after he developed serious difficulty in breathing. He was put on a ventilator but died after 1 am last night, he said, adding the hospital conducted his test for coronavirus as well but its result was negative.

Lakyari’s sons brought the body to his home in Lakyari Mohalla, Sehwan, where the late custodian’s relatives, disciples, prominent personalities and general public came to bid him farewell. The funeral prayer and burial in Karbala graveyard were attended by a huge crowd.

Local leaders of different political parties who came to offer condolence to Lakyari’s younger brother Syed Allah Bux Shah and elder son Syed Rajaj Shah said that Lakyari was a true Sufi who spread Qalandar’s message among Muslims and non-Muslims alike across the world.

“Sindh is a land a peace-loving people because this land is blessed with great Sufis. Lakyari was also one of the Sufis who followed in theory and practice the message of Qalandar,” said Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah, chairman of Sindh United Party.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Liaquat Ali Jatoi and Pakistan Peoples Party MNA Sikandar Ali Rahpoto said that as a true disciple of Qalandar, Lakyari followed and spread his message till his last breath.

Syed Asif Ali Shah, chairman of Sehwan town committee, and others said that Lakyari had delivered Qalandar’s message to the world which was a message of peace, love and universal brotherhood.

They said that he always supported the poor and never compromised on his principles. He preached message of Sufi Islam and message Qalandar in the world, they said.

Syed Nazir Shah, leader of Shia Ulema Council, announced three days mourning for Lakyari while different parts of the town were shut in mourning in the wake of news about Lakyari’s death.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2020