“History repeats itself, that’s one of the things that’s wrong with history.” -Clarence Darrow

Destroying Sufi Icons and Symbols

by | Sep 16, 2012 | Blog

Wahabism is bringing big changes in Kashmir

Arson Bid At Dooru Sufi Shrine Foiled

Srinagar: Protests broke out in the Dooru Shahabad area of Anantnag on
Wednesday morning after robbers looted a major Sufi shrine and tried to set it
ablaze.

Reports said that the robbers had broken a wooden chest holding
offerings from pilgrims, and made off with the cash and valuables after setting
it ablaze.

The robbery at the Khanaqah-e-Naqshband which holds sacred keepsakes
from Hazrat Shah-e-Hamadan and has the grave site of celebrated Kashmiri poet
Rasul Mir in its compound was carried out at around dawn.

But the arson bid, which could have inflicted heavy damage on the
wood-constructed shrine, was foiled by a watchman who raised an alarm bringing
locals in large numbers to the scene.

According to reports, some security guards in the vicinity also
opened fire on detecting shadowy figures fleeing into the
darkness.

The firing brought forces personnel to the scene who also joined
locals in searching for the robbers.

Later, protestors halted traffic on the main road, demanding swift
unmasking of the culprits.

This was the fourth place of worship to be targeted in Kashmir in the
recent months during which the renowned shrine of Hazrat Dastgeer Sahib in
Srinagar was gutted in June, and dargah destroyed in Budgam later. (Observer
News Service)