Businesses, devotees rejoice reopening of shrines

Before lockdown, communal meals saved thousands from sleeping hungry

LAHORE: The business community around shrines in the city is celebrating the decision of the Punjab government to reopen them for devotees.

On the other hand, beggars and underprivileged individuals reliant on communal meals served at the shrines breathed a sigh of relief too.

“Finally, we will be able to eat. The government had ignored us completely during the lockdown. We were not provided any food or allowance during these ugly days,” a homeless man dependent on shrine devotees for meals remarked.

A mendicant at Hazrat Baba Bulley Shah Shrine said the ‘langar’ (communal meal) and ‘Niaz’ (food offering) at shrines protect hundreds from starvation in the province.

Businessmen associated with the preparation of served communal meals such as ‘naan daal’ (flatbread and lentils) and other items were thankful that they were back in business.

Though shrines across the city are not overcrowded with devotees, people are now visiting the buried revered saints.

Haji Salamat, who runs his food business at the shrine of Baba Bulleh Shah, said his business is not as profitable as in the past, though he hopes it will come right back on track.

At Data Darbar, a devotee named Hafiz Salman said he was disappointed when the shrines were closed by the provincial government in the wake of the coronavirus threat.

“It is a great moment for us to be back at the Darbar after such a long time,” he stated happily.

He suggested that the government should strictly implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) at shrines instead of choosing to shut them down.

Sakhi Badsha, a Malang sitting outside the shrine, said he missed the days when people visited Data Darbar.

“Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government closed all shrines despite its claims to lead on to ‘Madina ki riasat’ (State of Madina),” he complained.

The owner of Pakwan Daig House, Muhammad Junaid, remarked that their business depends upon the hustle and bustle of the shrines.

“Unless that returns, we are not expecting a profit. Hopefully life will soon return to normal,” Junaid said expectantly.

The Punjab government had decided to reopen the shrines a few days back.

According to media reports, Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department suffered a loss of approximately Rs260 million owing to lockdown restrictions extending to shrines across the province.

The ban’s lifting is expected to help lift a number of people out of poverty as businesses associated with shrines reopen for devotees in Punjab.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2020.