Zikri
From Free net encyclopedia
The Zikri ( ذكرى) faith is an offshoot of Islam concentrated in Balochistan. It is generally regarded as heretical by mainstream Muslims. There are said to be approximately 750,000 Zikris [1].
The name Zikri comes from the Arabic word dhikr (pronounced "Zikr" in South Asia). The word is commonly used to describe Sufi worship. The faith is based on the teachings of Syed Mohammad Jaunpuri, a 15th century Mahdi claimant.
Like mainstream Muslims, Zikris are supposed to pray five times daily. However, the content of their prayers, which they call Zikr, differs from the orthodox practice of Salah.
They do not do the Hajj, but instead make pilgrimage (ziyarat) to a shrine called Koh-e-Murad (Mountain of Desire, in Persian). The shrine is located in the city of Turbat (Balochistan). They do ziyarat on the 27th night of Ramadan.
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 Karachi, the Pakistani province of Sindh, and in Iran.