Shrines Under Attack

 

Published: December 5, 2012

       

ISLAMABAD: The reach fertile land of Northern Pakistan is known in the history for so many reasons like culture, Beauty, hospitality and social setup. Once this area was the capital of Indus valley civilization and the Buddhist ruins can still be found in Takhat Bhai, Swabi & Swat. After spreading of Islam in the 10th century, many religious scholars & Sufis such as Kaka Sahib in Nowshera, Pir Baba in Bunir etc came to this vicinity. In past our elders gave special respect to these Sufis. From centuries this respect is inherited and passed on from generation to generation.
In recent years, terrorists bombed shrines of Bahader Baba and Akhund Panju Baba in Nowshera, Hameed Baba, Abdul Shakoor Baba Made Baba in Takht Bhai and the Shrine of notorious Pashto language poet Ajamal Khatak Baba, Rahman Baba (The Rehman Baba mausoleum was damaged in a blast on March 5, 2009) & Hamza Baba, contributed lots to Pashto literature. Another blast damaged Panj Peer shrine in Peshawar on 21st June 2012.
But recent attack on the shrine raises many questions in common people mind. Who are the attackers? Why they’re attacking?
For more satisfaction when contacted a Pashto eminent Poet AbbaSeen Yousafzai in Peshawar, he said these hidden elements attacking on shrines “want to deteriorate Pukhtuns’ beliefs and they want to give us mental agony”. He further said that the great work of these Sufis is in our hearts. Their message was for humanity and brotherhood how we can deny that. They can destroy their shrines but can’t with draw their teaching from our hearts & minds.
What is Islamic point of view?
‘The Sufi way is through knowledge and practice, not through intellect and talk.’
In my search, I contacted many religious scholars. Mufti Abdul Shah from district Charsada is known for his logical and authentic Islamic point of view. According to him “Prophet (Peace be upon him) said that give respect to Sufi’s” “Always give them honor.” But Mufti clearly said that nowadays in most parts people would be seen singing and taking drugs in the shrines of Sufis which is strictly against their teachings. He strongly condemn and stress upon that every sects give reverence to spiritual people in life and after his death.
To find the reason behind these bomb blasts in Shrines, well known Pashto drama writer & Poet Layeq Zada Layeq in Peshawar said ‘The Shrine of religious people and mausoleum of Pashto Sufi poets are targeted because these places are consider to be community gathering centers which is the basic standards of Pukhtun culture and civilization. They give respect due to their great work.’ He pointed out that this is a direct attack on culture and puny Pukhtuns jamboree.
However, I found out that this is not regional issue in other Islamic countries like Libya and Afghanistan has some predicament. Libya is a deeply conservative Muslim nation, 0n 24th August 2012 an attack was reported on Sufi Shrine.
The responsibility comes on the religious, Social & literary scholars to write about this dilemma.
Bold step from the Muslim Countries; is the need of the day.

online link of my story, http://www.lhrtimes.com/2012/12/05/shrines-under-attack/