Abstract/Description

This study investigates the role of Sufi shrines in the local community and in local politics. This study follows a qualitative research strategy and employs in-depth interviews to collect data from different stakeholders such as visitors of the Shrine, local politicians and Sajjada Nasheen. Thematic analysis has been used to analyze data. The findings of this study showed that the Koreja family in Mitthan Kot uses the shrine for their benefit as they are only the caretakers of the Shrine. They are not functioning for the shrine's development or for spreading the teachings of Khwaja Ghulam Farid. The results found that Sajjada Nasheen and his family changed their behavior after gaining power, not only with the local people but also with visitors to the shrine. This is also quoted in the results, as one of the reasons that the number of visitors to the shrine is decreasing. Koreja's family is involved in politics by using the shrine with the help of local politicians. Hence, the nexus between Sajjada Nasheen and local politicians defines the local political landscape in Mitthan Kor, Rajanpur.

Keywords

Local politics, Mitthan Kot, Pakistan, Rajanpur, Sufi Shrines, Sajjada Nasheen

Location

S2 room, Adamjee building

Session Theme

Institutions and Economics

Session Type

Parallel Technical Session

Session Chair

Anwar Shah, Quaid-i-Azam University

Session Discussant

Adnan Haider, Institute of Business Administration ; Muhammad Sabir, Institute of Business Administration

Start Date

10-12-2024 3:15 PM

End Date

10-12-2024 5:15 PM

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Dec 10th, 3:15 PM Dec 10th, 5:15 PM

The Role of Sufi Shrines in Local Politics: A Case Study of Mitthan Kot Rajanpur, Pakistan

S2 room, Adamjee building

This study investigates the role of Sufi shrines in the local community and in local politics. This study follows a qualitative research strategy and employs in-depth interviews to collect data from different stakeholders such as visitors of the Shrine, local politicians and Sajjada Nasheen. Thematic analysis has been used to analyze data. The findings of this study showed that the Koreja family in Mitthan Kot uses the shrine for their benefit as they are only the caretakers of the Shrine. They are not functioning for the shrine's development or for spreading the teachings of Khwaja Ghulam Farid. The results found that Sajjada Nasheen and his family changed their behavior after gaining power, not only with the local people but also with visitors to the shrine. This is also quoted in the results, as one of the reasons that the number of visitors to the shrine is decreasing. Koreja's family is involved in politics by using the shrine with the help of local politicians. Hence, the nexus between Sajjada Nasheen and local politicians defines the local political landscape in Mitthan Kor, Rajanpur.