Ever since I am aware of myself and my surroundings, I have seen that tsunamis and cyclones that have been predicted to hit Karachi have been diverted in the last moment. The question that arises is whether this is due to the unique geographical placement of Karachi where it nestles in between the Gulf of Oman and the Gulf of Katch? How is it possible that when the Karachites start battening the hatches and slide their prayer beads fervently within their anxious fingers, the impending natural disasters make an about turn and fizzle out just shy of Karachi out in the Arabian Sea.
Popular urban legends tell of the countless times the four Sufi saints have protected Karachi from storms and tsunamis. Even in this day and age, and leaning towards Islamisation, people are halfway still thinking that there might be some truth to the stories.
While some believe it’s only the sufi saint, Abdullah Shah Ghazi, whose shrine is at Clifton is the protector of all things that come from the sea. Others claim that the collective prayers of all four saints at each corner of the metropolis are the powers that create a protective bubble around Karachi.
Abdullah Shah Ghazi in Clifton, Samandri Baba on the National Highway, Yusuf Shah in Manora and Manghoo Baba in Manghopir are the names of the saints who have claimed a corner surrounding Karachi, equidistant from one another. It is said that the presence of these saints in Karachi have already saved the city from natural disasters including earthquakes, cyclones and all sea-related phenomenon.
It is strongly believed that as long as Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s shrine is kept clean and well-maintained, Karachi will always be spared from deadly sea storms.
One of many well known stories regarding Abdullah Shah Ghazi says that once when the sea continued to be rough for a few weeks and the fishermen couldn’t go out to sea, they went to Abdullah Shah Ghazi and asked him to pray for the sea to remain calm. Abdullah Shah Ghazi went to the seashore and submerged his bowl into the sea water He rolled the water from side to side and then looked out to sea. In a booming loud voice, he said “You have been misbehaving a lot lately!” The water then calmed down as if it was ashamed of its behaviour. Many believe that the sea then moved further away because of the Sufi’s displeasure.
