Makhdoom Jameeluz Zaman succeeds father to become 19th spiritual head

The Sarwari Jamaat, with its millions of followers, is the second largest order in Sindh

HYDERABAD: Makhdoom Jameeluz Zaman has succeeded his father, Makhdoom Amin Faheem who passed away on November 21, as the 19th spiritual head of Sarwari Jamaat. The order, with its millions of followers is the second largest in Sindh after Pir Pagara's Hur Jamaat.

The ceremony of Dastarbandi was held in Hala, Matiari district, on Monday, hours before Faheem's soyem. The Jamaat's 19 caliphs and thousands of followers attended the ceremony held in the shrine of Makhdoom Nooh Sarwar, a 16th century mystic. The khulfa, an uncle, brothers and notables, performed the ritual of tying the knots of Zaman's turban.

"My father and murshid [spiritual guide] Makhdoom Amin Faheem was a wonderful man. I pay tribute to him for his struggles," said Zaman, in his address to the disciples.

"We should follow the path taught by Allah and His Messenger [pbuh] and should offer Namaz." He vowed to serve the people saying that Sarwari Jamaat is an organisation for the poor people. He advised his followers to avoid nurturing grudges even against their opponents and to promote harmony in society.

"Fahim's death has left not only the Jamaat but the workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party in deep sorrow," said chief minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, while talking to the media at the soyem.

Shah recalled that the Makhdoom family was pivotal to laying the sound footings on which the PPP thrives to this day. "The PPP was born in Lahore, but it was Hala where the party gained strength and stability."

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2015.