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All You Need To Know About Abdullah Shah Ghazi Karachi

At a Glance

Sindh has been a land of saints and Sufis from ancient times. It is home to unlimited shrines of Muslim mystics and Sufis. Abdullah Shah Ghazi is an important landmark in Karachi with its spiritual affiliations to people from diverse religions and communities. 

Late Abdullah Shah Ghazi is the most prominent, highly respected, and well-known Muslim saint, buried in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. His grave attracts people from all communities and ethnicities, showing their reverence for the saint. Currently, Abdullah Shah Ghazi Darbar is a frequent visiting destination for the people who reside in and visit Karachi.

About Abdullah Shah Ghazi

There are various differing views about the history of Abdullah Shah Ghazi.  

In the book “A History of Sindh”, he is stated as an Arab dealer who hit the Sindh land with the first batch of Arab invaders. However, there is another version given by a historian, Dr. Umar Muhammad Daudpota in which the saint is thought to be a commander named General Abdulla Bin Nabhan, who launched a military operation against Raja Dahir in Sindh.

Additionally, the legend has it that Abdullah Shah Ghazi was from the generations of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. His name was Syed Muhammad Abdulla Al Ishtar, born in the year 720 A.D at Medina and set his foot at Sindh in 760 A.D.  It is believed that he continued to live and preach Islam in Sindh until he died in the year 773 A.D. and was buried at a hill in present-day Clifton, Karachi.

Abdullah Shah Ghazi Shrine

Architecture and Interior

The mausoleum is on the top of a hill, so to reach there one needs to climb a long staircase. It has a pale yellow outer structure. Commonly known as “Abdullah shah ghazi ka Mazar” by locals, the shrine has a heightened square compound and a dome.  Sindhi architecture and interior throughout the shrine make it an aesthetically appealing heritage site. Inside the shrine, there is a huge main hall with a silver railing across the burial place.  Above the grave, there is a glass chandelier. The visitors pay their homage to the saint by caressing the silver railings and putting flower garlands and clothing sheets with Arabic religious scriptures on the grave.

Location

Do you want to visit but wondering where is Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s shrine? It is near Bagh Ibn e Qasim and Bahria Icon Tower at Abdullah Shah Ghazi road, Karachi. The shrine is 6 KM away from the Karachi Railway station and 24 Km from the Karachi airport. It is in close vicinity to the bus stop, khayabaan e Shujaat.

Abdullah Shah Ghazi History

The saint’s grave is said to be 1000 years old, however, it turned to the status of a shrine in the last few decades. A legendary TV anchor, intellectual, and actor Zia Mohiuddin, first explored and brought to attention the shrine in the 1950s.

At that time Sufi saint Nadir Ali Shah was the custodian of the shrine.  He built and expanded Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi Mazar. The shrine structure, pilgrim hall, and qawwali lodge were constructed under his supervision. Later, Govt of Pakistan – Auqaaf Department, did various construction and expansion phases at the shrine. In 2011, the shrine’s administration was handed over to Bahria town.

Folklores of the Shrine

It’s an interesting myth that Karachi is said to be safe from sea calamities due to the saint’s spiritual powers. The sea climatic course around Karachi is attributed to Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s divine authority on sea waters during his life. The legend has it that he commanded sea waters to remain calm so that locals can earn their livelihood through fishing.

However, one can not deny the factual endorsement of this myth in the recent past. Due to cyclonic storms in the Arabian Sea, Karachi was at high risk of being hit by sea storms in 2006 and 2010. The city remained safe during each of the cyclones while some states in India witnessed massive catastrophes through these cyclones.

Visitors’ Guidelines

To make your visit pleasant and peaceful, consider the following visiting guidelines.

• The shrine remains open 24/7.
• Free meals and flower garland shops can be found around the mausoleum.
• The entry is free of cost.
• The place is of spiritual significance to the locals so dress up modestly.
• The visit is an excellent opportunity to observe the common practices and rituals of   the local community at their spiritual sites.
• Darbar is the most crowded on Thursdays.
• Try visiting early in the morning to avoid the crowd.

Urs, the Annual Festival at Shrine

If you want to witness rituals and customs practiced at the shrine, the best time to visit is during the annual festival, the Urs. It is celebrated from 20th zilhajj to 22nd  zilhajj. The free meals and qawwali are prominent features of the Urs. A large number of people visit the Mazar during these days to pay homage to the Sufi saint.

Abdullah Shah Ghazi Karachi is a must-visit place for people who love revisiting history through historic sites, appreciate traditional architecture, and want to experience the rituals and customs of the local community. Additionally, For any tourist,  Karachi site seeing is incomplete without paying a visit to this shrine. Don’t forget to add Abdullah Shah Ghazi to your visiting destinations.  

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