PAKISTAN: FOLLOWERS FLOCK TO SHRINE IN SEARCH OF SPIRITUAL HEALING

PAKISTAN: FOLLOWERS FLOCK TO SHRINE IN SEARCH OF SPIRITUAL HEALING

Urdu/Nat

Followers of a Pakistani saint have been flocking to a shrine in Karachi in search of spiritual healing to get rid of evil spirits believed to be taking over their loved ones.

It is believed that one cure for sufferers is to keep them in chains at the shrine of Saint Shah Aqique in the district of Thatta in the Sindh Province.

Other sufferers can be seen running up and down the building in an attempt to get rid of evil spirits.

A woman pacing up and down at the shrine of Saint Shah Aqique in the Thatta district in Karachi.

Followers of the saint believe that if a person is under the influence of black magic or evil spirits he or she can be cured by sitting at the shrine’s passage while holding the railings.

It is believed that within a short time – 10 to 30 minutes – a person looking for a cure will start jumping up and down.

This is called ‘Hazri,’ and is the process of registering for treatment.

Within moments patients start running all around the shrine while shouting, until they feel better.

Shah Aqique was a Muslim saint famous throughout Pakistan for spiritual healing.

Born in around 1100 A-D, Shah Aqique left Bukhara – now Iraq – to go to Pakistan at the age of seven.

Muslims here believe Shah Aqique developed miracles which he used to treat patients with different illnesses.

The shrine was built in his memory.

It is commonly known as ‘Jalili Baba’ and has over the years developed the reputation of being a spiritual clinic, visited by hundreds of people from all over Pakistan.

A visit to the shrine presents a strange picture – faithfuls can be seen carrying immersing themselves in different ways in search of peace and tranquillity.

Many of the saint’s followers believe this is the only cure for such illnesses.

SOUNDBITE: (Urdu)
“Jalili Baba has given us a lot. I am visiting the shrine regularly for one and half years. I have three daughters… all of their problems are solved. Our family has suffered a lot… somebody had done black magic on the family, now we are getting the treatment. Had we not come here, we would have lost our home, children and their jobs… all of it. We have full belief in him.”
SUPER CAPTION: Murid Fatima, a regular visitor to the shrine

People suffering from behaviour problems are also brought here for treatment.

They are tied up in chains and left at the shrine for months, or possibly even years, until they are seen to get better.

The grave of Shah Aqique is kept inside the building – where people also come here to pray and offer blessings.

Sufferers claim the spiritual powers from within shrine have helped to perform miracles.

SOUNDBITE: (Urdu)
“I am getting my treatment from the Shah Baba, my cousin had done black magic on me. As a result my body used to suffered from pain. I used to quarrel with my family… our business was closed down. I am getting treatment for the last six months.”
SUPER CAPTION: Ashraf, patient

Pakistan is a society which strongly believes in traditions and mythology.

Critics of the spiritual healing process say parts of the community are clinging onto ancient beliefs which have no place in today’s society.

But for believers, this shrine offers hope and maybe more, when they see no other way out.

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