IT is a sad reflection on Pakistani society when sectarian differences and schisms begin to affect Sufi shrines, long considered bastions of tolerance and communal harmony. The golden-domed mausoleum of Syed Usman Marwandi — better known as Lal Shahbaz Qalandar — in Sehwan had to be sealed on Tuesday to prevent a clash between two groups of devotees belonging to different sects. Locals say this is the first time in its history that the shrine had to be closed. The saint is held in high esteem not only by Shias and Sunnis, but also by members of the Hindu community. Devotees flock to Sehwan from across Pakistan as well as different parts of the world, especially during the saint’s annual urs. Tension started mounting when the brother of Sindh’s senior minister announced that a majlis would be held in the shrine’s Dhamal court. This provoked members of the Sunni community, who also revere the qalandar. They said they would organise a strike if the religious event went ahead. The authorities decided to seal the shrine to avert a confrontation and police contingents had to be brought in. The shrine has reopened amidst tight security though the situation remains tense.

Sectarian tensions in Sehwan have been growing over the past decade and a half. Observers say there was an agreement between the Shia and Sunni communities that no majlis or maatam would be held within the mausoleum’s courtyard; all such religious activities are supposed to take place near an imambargah attached to the shrine. A clash occurred last year when a section of the Shia community organised a similar gathering in the courtyard. It is hoped that the opposing factions sit down and sort out their differences so that communal harmony can be restored and disagreements of this nature are not exploited to provoke wider sectarian unrest.