SDLP 111: Week 2

[Hadi Abdullah]

The Siraiki people form a subunit of a greater group of people called the Sindhis. Centuries of living side by side has allowed the two cultures to intermingle and seep into one another to such a degree that two might be indistinguishable to the naked eye. These people reside along the desert and have played an enormously important role through out the history of Pakistan. There ability to live and traverse in the desert and their strategic location at the easter border of Pakistan was pivotal during the war of 1965. The reason for their intense resolve to defend the border did not stem from patriotic inclinations, but from religious obligation to their Pir. A Pir is a living saint and is imbued with religious authority. They have large number of followers who are willing to do anything at the Pir's orders. I want to study the culture of Pirs amongst the Sindhi people. I will use my language partner as a primary source and will be looking for resources online. By studying more about this topic, I would be able to better understand the politics and policies of Sindh that define modern Pakistan.