Devotees resume dhamal at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine
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.