There is no gainsaying the fact that the influx of tens of thousands of Dawoodi Bohra community visitors into Karachi for Muharram observances represents vast security challenges not only for the city but the country as a whole. But along with those challenges comes a grand opportunity to shed one step at the time the country’s terror-scarred image and show the world that Pakistan is just as safe as any other country and can safely host its honoured guest, Dawoodi Bohra leader Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, and his followers who have come from nearly 40 countries to be with him. And opportunities like these do not come every day. Despite the fraught ties with India, it would be a good time for people on our side of the border to charm the neighbours in particular — who probably constitute the largest contingent of visitors — with their famed hospitality. The challenge for all is to banish the image of a country that is inhospitable, dangerous and seething with violence. The more immediate task at hand, however, is to ward off attacks on the Muharram processionists.
As it is the Sindh administration and the city’s municipal authorities have a mammoth task before them: they have to transform the sewage-laden and congested streets of Saddar where the bulk of the visitors are staying into a more respectable-looking locale. A cleanliness campaign is under way in the neighbourhood. Some of the uglier encroachments have already been cleared but a lot more needs to be done.
Because this requires gargantuan efforts and wide public support, all citizens irrespective of their religious orientation should offer to sign up for the programme to spruce up the city’s image and make a difference in their own unique way. The country’s pride is stake. Not only can improvements be made in infrastructure but also in accentuating the beauty of our country’s cultural heritage and its architectural marvels. If we can somehow find ways to show the vibrancy of life in our cities and towns, we can hope to entice more foreign tourists to our shores. The current uptick in hotel bookings has breathed some life into the struggling hospitality industry. We look forward to more signs of encouragement.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2017.
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