Shah Ghazi is to Karachi what Data Darbar is to Lahore

Twin suicide attacks in Clifton, Karachi bear similarities to the one in Lahore.

KARACHI: Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s shrine is significant to Karachi as Hazrat Data Ganj Baksh’s shrine is to Lahore. And indeed, Thursday’s twin suicide attack in Clifton that bears similarities to the one in Lahore, further confirms this.

The presence of Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s shrine in Karachi may have helped avert natural disasters in the past, but Thursday night’s blasts have proved that the threat from terrorists remains imminent. Despite being declared sensitive by the Sindh Auqaf Department last year with further security measures adopted following the attack on Data Darbar in Lahore, devotees throng Shah Ghazi’s shrine in huge numbers particularly on Thursday.

Others flock the shrine for langar (free food) or to drink from the miraculous holy waters from the shrine which, they believe, cures ailments

According to one legend, Abdullah Shah possessed the power to control sea waters. Caretakers at the mazaar cite a common story of fishermen requesting him to order the sea to remain calm. With his special prayers, the fishermen were back to earning their livelihood within a few hours.

Similarly, the presence of this mazaar, say devotees, has protected Karachi from a number of tropical disasters, including the recent Cyclone Phet and the 2006 sea-storm heading from Gujarat, India.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2010.