Zikri
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The Zikri (Arabic: ذكرى) faith is an offshoot of Islam concentrated in Makran, Balochistan (Pakistan and Iran). The name Zikri comes from the Arabic word dhikr (pronounced "Zikr" in South Asia). The word is also commonly used to describe Sufi worship.
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[edit] Practices
The content of their prayer, which they call Zikr-e-Elahi, refers to a person's worship of Allah; they are generally regarded as mainstream Muslims. Zikris, like mainstream Muslims, are religiously obligated to pray five times daily. However, the content of their prayers, which they call Zikr or Zigr, differs from the orthodox practice of Salah. The Zikri are also unrelated to other groups such as the Mahdavi.
Zikri perform all five Islamic tenants - the Hajj, Roza (fasting) Zakkat and all Shahadah. Zikiris have been performing their version of the Zikir-e-Elahi for well over one thousand years.
The Zikris perform the standard Islamic Hajj but moreover they also make pilgrimage (ziyarat) to a shrine called Koh-e-Murad (Mountain of Desire), in Persian). The shrine is located in the city of Turbat in Balochistan. They celebrate ziyarat on the 27th night of Ramadan.
The cultural and commercial significance of the Zikri festivals are same as other Baloch .Their religious leaders – Mullais – believe that the Zikri prayer is ‘a bit different than the others’. Their zikr khanas – they have few places of worship, unlike the growing number of mosques across Makran – are like mosques but do not have pulpits pointing towards Mecca. Instead, there are stones and mats on which they sit and do the zikr. However, on a visit to the prayer places at Koh-i-Murad, a few copies of the Qur’an were found on the shelves.
Towards the end of Ramadan, a huge assembly called the Choghan takes place at a hilltop in the region to commemorate the occasion. This assembly is not a substitute for Hajj.
[edit] Mahdi
The Zikris have generally subscribed to the idea of a revealed last imam, the Mahdi, and that Muhammad Jaunpuri was such a person.
[edit] Socio-Economics
Most Zikris live in Baluchistan, where they are the majority religious group in the district of Gwadar. There are also large groups of Zikris in the Pakistani city of Karachiand a few numbered in the Pakistani province of Sindh, and in Iran. Many of the other smaller groups live in Karachi and Makran, although the Zikris, for example, are predominantly in south-western Baluchistan where their spiritual center, Koh-i-Murad, is located. However, they are becoming less visible, fearing that they will also be designated a ‘minority’, against their will like Ahmadis .
The Zikris of Balochistan – a predominantly Baloch ethnic group in Makran and the adjoining areas – fear they will suffer the fate of the Ahmadis, as there are demands from certain groups for their designation as a non-Muslim minority.
Most Zikris are poor peasants or nomads who enjoy coming to Koh-i-Murad as others elsewhere enjoy visiting shrines. The number of Zikris is not known since they identify themselves as Muslims. It is estimated that there are several thousands living in Pakistan. In addition, there are huge Zikri communities in Karachi, Las Bela and Quetta. There are more Zikri Baloch in Karachi than anywhere else, but many have recently migrated for economic reasons, while staying in touch with their native Makran.
[edit] Persecution
Zikris had traditionally been victimized in Pakistan, Iran and in Afghani Balochistan, and the recent emphasis on Sunni and scripturalist Islam encouraged the JUI to make inroads into Baloch regions. NGOs, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and local activists, are creating a greater awareness of the Zikri predicament and aim to forestall a majoritarian backlash against this scattered and impoverished community. Recently, police protection has been provided to Zikri visitors.
