Miracle: Mazaar survives Timber Market fire

KARACHI:

The massive fire in Timber Market last month failed to burn down a small shrine located in the vicinity and the residents believe it was nothing short of a miracle.

There is a burnt tree in the front and another one at the back of the green-domed mazaar, but the shrine remained safe and untouched by the blaze. "All the shops were burnt except this mazaar," said a shopkeeper. "The flames did not even come close to it."

The shrine belongs to Hazrat Usman Shah Baba who died Rajab 28, 1293. His mystic powers have answered the prayers of many believers, claimed his devotees. One of the caretakers of the shrine, Abdul Razzak, said the fire was so intense and the flames leapt high, yet the mazaar and a nearby madressa remained safe. "Look at the cloth of the 'alam', it did not catch fire."

As the residents await for the authorities to kick off the restoration work on their homes and shops, places such as this shrine offers them hope.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2015.