Written by: Virdah Khan
Posted on: August 02, 2019 | 
The shrine from the outside
The Shrine of Hazrat Sayyed Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi Qadri, popularly known as Bari Imam, lies in the heart of Islamabad, Pakistan’s Capital city. Due to its strategic location, the Shrine of Bari Imam holds great significance as a reminder of the country’s spiritual history, and the way in which Sufi tradition is being curbed in the name of security.
Sufism is a branch of Islamic mysticism which focuses on inward reflection and a connection with the Divine Spirit. It relies often on a spiritual lineage of saints and their followers. They often use dances, songs, and poetry as a way to express and perfect worship. But perhaps, the most important tradition of Sufism in South Asia is the Urs or the death anniversary of a saint. It is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm, as devotees commemorate their saint’s return to God.
Just a few kilometers off of the Shrine, runs the imposing Constitution Avenue. The road is adorned with buildings representing the power corridor of the country: The Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Prime Minister and President Houses, and Parliament. Constitution Avenue also leads up to the Shrine of the holy Saint, whose migration to this area is said to have laid the very foundations of Islamabad.
Bari Imam’s life has been recorded in the form of myths and legends. Born in approximately 1617 CE, Hazrat Bari Imam traveled far and wide, gathering knowledge until he finally settled in what was known as the Noor Pur Shahan village. The area was laden with robbers, but the presence of Bari Imam brought about a change for the local dwellers, who started ascribing miracles and healings to his deep spiritual knowledge and teachings.
Devoting his life to spiritual practice, Bari Imam took abode in a cave located along the ridge of Margalla Hills, which faced the village of Noorpur Shahan. He remained in the cave for twelve years. The shrine itself was built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century. Since then, it has undergone several renovations and repairs, which have come at the expense of its original architectural style.
In 2008, the caretaker prime minister ordered the Capital Development Authrority (CDA) to man renovation efforts, and construct the shrine as a replica of Masjid-e-Nabwi in Medina. Presently, while the structure is stable, the roads to the shrine are in tatters. But since the original construction belongs to the Mughal Era, a lot of research material was lost when the structure was renovated.
In recent years, the shrine has been victim to many targeted suicide bombings, particularly the one in 2005. Due to security concerns, heavy measures needed to be put in place, including barricades and check posts. These security measures came at a heavy price, and caused some irreversible damage to the memory of the shrine in the eyes of the worshippers.
Now, not only are there strict partitions between men and women now, classical Sufi symbols like peepal trees and the Chiragh Gah have been removed. But, most importantly, the Urs has not been publically celebrated since 2009, due to security reasons. But even while the area is relatively peaceful, the absence of a formal celebration of Bari Imam’s reunion with his Beloved has left the shrine incomplete, and almost unrecognizable.
One can still walk across the courtyard and find people performing wuddhu (ablution), or hurrying to light lamps underneath the old tree behind the shrine wall. Watching these scenes, it is difficult to not remember the light and carefree atmosphere that this place had once offered to its visitors.
Though devotional visits, tributes and prayers continue to the present day, they feel restrained. Checks on all movements are enforced by memories of terror and pain. This restraint is especially obvious when one enters the shrine premises. The tomb of the saint is now encapsulated inside a glass, and only the shrine caretakers can enter, while devotees stand outside.
With its critical location and historical significance, the situation of Bari Imam requires reflection on everyone’s part. The worshippers recognize the need for security measures, but lament the Government’s lack of incentive in supporting the shrine’s traditions. Bari Imam not only needs to be protected as a religious site but also celebrated and studied as a heritage site.
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