Passing on the torch: Bhittai’s shrine gets 12th Sajjada Nasheen

HYDERABAD:

The 12th Sajjada Nasheen of the Sufi poet, Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, was sworn in at a ceremony on Wednesday in Bhit Shah, Matiari.

Syed Waqar Hussain Shah, 39, succeeded his father, the 11th Sajjada Nasheen, Syed Nisar Hussain Shah Lateefi, who died on December 29, 2014, at the age of 67 years.

Syed Muhammad Shah Kareemi, the Sajjada Nasheen of Hazrat Bulri Shah Kareem, the grandfather of Bhitai, performed the ceremony by covering Shah with the attire of Bhitai.

The relic, which is named ‘haal dhaga’ in the Sindhi language, includes a cap, a turban, a shawl, a tasbeeh and a sleeveless piece of cloth, all worn by Bhitai in his life time.

The Sufi poet passed away 271 years ago. This ceremony is performed on the third day (soyem) of the demise of a Sajjada Nasheen. But the dastarbandi ceremony, which transfers the headship of a family or a tribe, will be performed after 40 days of the former head’s death.

“I will discharge my obligation without any fear. Every second of my life will be devoted to propagate Bhitai’s message,” said Shah. “Sindh will become Sindh of Bhitai.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2015.