Spiritual Cameras

By Adnan Lodhi, "Malangs: ‘spiritual security’ at Data Sahib’s urs" - Daily Times - Lahore, Pakistan
Monday, February 16, 2009

On the occasion of the 11th Century Sufi saint’s 965th urs a large number of ‘malangs’ and ‘malangnis’ (mendicants) have erected tents around the tomb of Hazrat Ali Hajvery, otherwise known as Data Gunj Bakhsh, and claim they have established multiple circles of a sound security, as they are representative of a metaphysical force.

A large number of malangs, along with their chailas (assistants), have come to the shrine to celebrate the urs in their own style, wearing rings, beads, multi-coloured clothes and anklets.

They said it was not the police that was controlling the security, as they themselves were under a security threat, but malangs monitoring the matters through their ‘spiritual cameras’.

They said no untoward incident would happen at the urs.

The urs ceremonies are attracting tens of thousands of devotees from across the country and abroad. People are thronging the shrine in groups to pay their respects and to say their prayers.

Since Saturday, thousands of groups have laid chaddars at the tomb and organised tablighi ijtamas, mehfil-e-naat, seminars on sufism, and speeches.

The malangs, performing dhamaal and holding their mtair (sacred stick) could be seen giving instructions to their chailas to prepare bhang and charas, ‘treating’ the visitors. The special ‘thing’ in their tents was the ‘muchh’ (bonfire), where a large crowd was seen sharing their problems with the malangs.

Protection:
Saeen Nazir Hussain, a malang from Hyderabad, said malangs belonging to different sects like Qadria, Qalandria, Chishtia, Sabria, Nizamia, Noshahia, Suhrwardia, Mehbobia and Haideria were present at the shrine, all monitoring security. He said the police could not even protect themselves, as suicide bombers had been targeting them, and malangs were actually taking care of the situation.

Baba Hanif Chishti of Faisalabad said, “Spiritual cameras are fit and malangs can see everything”.

He said there was no threat of security, and no unpleasant incident would happen.

Saleema, a chaili from Shahkot, said she attended the urs every year to get blessings. She said she had done her Masters in Urdu, but considered the spiritual track more important.

A female devotee from Multan said she had specially come to attend Data Sahib’s urs, adding that she had shared her problems with different malangs and was satisfied.

Not bothered:
Aslam Khan, a policeman, said the police were least concerned about the things happening in such tents. He said it was difficult to judge them, but most malangs present there were peaceful.

He said criminals like pickpockets also sought protection at the malangs’ tents.