Interfaith Harmony in District Umerkot

Interfaith Harmony in District Umerkot

 Umerkot has many cultural and historical significance. In 16^th century Mughal Empire Humayun fled to Umerkot after military defeat against Sher Shah Suri, where their Son Akbar was born Near Umerkot Fort. Umerkot has various cultural and traditional values, such as Marvi is the sign of peace and great courage for Thari women,  Marvi was kidnapped by ruler Umer soomro in 12^th century, who wanted to marry her but young Thari girl Marvi refused to marry with him and prefer to live in imprisoned in the historic Umerkot fort for many years. For this courage Marvi became the 7^th surmi (character) of famous Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhitae. Umerkot has great example of religious Harmony where Muslims and Hindu Sufis such as Abdul Raheem Girohri, Pir Pithoro sahib and Sufi Rohil Faqeer propagate the message of peace and religious pluralism. In this district Hindus resides in majority from hundreds of years, however Muslims and Hindus celebrate their religious festival together to express their communal solidarity in spite of religious difference. From centuries Thar Desert of Sindh has been symbol of religious pluralism, where both Hindus and Muslims share the same culture, language and tradition. They have lived together with peace and harmony. But in recent history, Umerkot is witnessing a drastic change where religious extremism is eroding centuries old social harmony and religious tolerance.

 Wave of religious extremism has seen since last decade where different incidents related to kidnapping, forcibly conversion of Hindus minor girls etc have recorded. Reasons behind these incidents are poverty, lack of inter faith harmony, low literacy rate, intolerance, external intervention, and lack of good governance. Umerkot district needs special attention from all sects of society for coexistence of people belonging to diverse faith and background.